5 New China-Centric Books That Make for Great Christmas Presents

It’s that time of year again, but have you done your Christmas shopping? Or are you still pulling your hair out trying to figure out what to gift? If you’re searching for the perfect gift for bookworms, or for anyone with an interest in China, check out our list below to find that perfect Christmas present.
 

For the True Crime Buff

City of Devils: A Shanghai Noir by Paul French
Probably best known in the expat community as the writer of non-fiction book Midnight in Peking, Paul French’s new book tackles that southern city that we love to hate, Shanghai.

It might be hard to image, but in the 1930s, Shanghai was a lawless city and a haven for outlaws from all over the world. This enthralling piece of non-fiction takes you into the lives of some of the times’ most notorious criminals, and gives you a completely different perspective of the city, and perhaps another reason to visit!

If you need further convincing, Newsweek also listed City of Devils as one of the 50 Best Books of 2018 in June this year. Click here to read our interview with French at the book's launch earlier in the year.

For the Parents Who Still Haven’t Visited

Terracotta Warriors: History, Mystery, and the Latest Discoveries by Edward Burman
If anyone has parents or friends who have yet to visit, lure them into the mystery of China’s incredible ancient history with this up-to-date account of one of the ancient wonders of the world: the Terracotta Warriors.

Edward Burman’s account describes everything from the accidental discovery of the Terracotta Warriors in Xi’an by farmers back in 1974, the history of how they came to be – including input from many of China’s leading historians – as well as some of the most recent archaeological discoveries about the dig site, including the realization in 2016 that the warriors are actually just one part of a much larger tomb complex.
 

For Lovers of Fiction

Crazy Rich Asians trilogy by Kevin Kwan
As you're undoubtedly aware, the first novel of Kevin Kwan's trilogy, Crazy Rich Asians, came to the big screen earlier this year, becoming an instant blockbuster almost everywhere but China. Nevertheless, it thrust the author Kevin Kwan and his series about frolicking Asian elite into the spotlight.

These bestsellers take place from Singapore to Shenzhen to New York, and will make a great Christmas gift for anyone who loves fiction and scandal. Once you get sucked into this world, it’s hard to put the books down.
 

For the Budding China Watcher

China and the Barbarians: Resisting the Western World Order by Henk Schulte Nordholt
China and the Barbarians delves into China’s development over the centuries in the areas of philosophy, language, and nationalism in an attempt to describe how the country has managed to maintain a disparate path from that of countries looking to control and assimilate it into the Western-centric world order.

This book makes a great gift for any budding China watcher who wants to learn more about how China’s past and current policymaking is likely to affect the Middle Kingdom's future relationships from a political and economic perspective.
 

For the Historian

Imperial Twilight: The Opium War and the End of China’s Last Golden Age by Stephen Platt
Imperial Twilight draws readers in with its riveting portrayal of longstanding relations between the United Kingdom and China, starting with one of the most important turning points in China’s modern history, the First Opium War of 1839.

This historical account has been shortlisted for the Baillie Gifford Prize and has been listed as one of the best history books of 2018 by the Financial Times. The perfect gift for anyone wanting to examine the intricacies of 19th century China and how its turbulent past has affected the China we know today.

READ: Ex-Cop Disputes Paul French's Famed Peking Murder Book

Photos: Penguin, Blackwell’s, Amazon, Leiden University Press, Amazon