China: Up Close and Personal

This book is based on an in-depth filmed conversation between Howard Burton and Hwei-Chih and Julia Hsiu Chair in Chinese Studies and Professor of History at UC San Diego. This wide-ranging conversation covers the emerging American-style consumer culture of China which is revolutionizing the lives of hundreds of millions of Chinese, how it has transformed its economy and lifestyle and has the potential to reshape the world, and the different environmental issues that China is grappling with. 


This carefully-edited book includes an introduction, Full Circle, and questions for discussion at the end of each chapter:

I. Filling in the World - Young Karl heads abroad
II. History and Demography - A brief examination of what we mean by “modern China: and the importance, and possible origin, of China’s large population 
III. Contemporary China - Change at breakneck speed
IV. Environmental Issues - And associated political aspects
V. Societal Values - And how they are changing
VI. Catastrophic Scenarios - And how they might be addressed
VII. Ever Onwards - Towards a deeper understanding 



About Ideas Roadshow Conversations:


This book is part of an expanding series of 100+ Ideas Roadshow conversations, each one presenting a wealth of candid insights from a leading expert through a focused yet informal setting to give non-specialists a uniquely accessible window into frontline research and scholarship that wouldn't otherwise be encountered through standard lectures and textbooks.