I’m in Nanjing because of Iris Chang. In fact, like many Americans, the only reason I’ve ever even heard of Nanjing is because of Iris Chang. Chang’s book The Rape of Nanking […]
The last victim of the Rape of Nanjing
The Nanjing Adventure
Part eight in a series Folks who know me well know I love a good adventure. On my ninth day in China, I embark on what might be my boldest adventure ever. […]
The no-longer-Forbidden City
Part seven in a series When his majesty Yongle, third emperor of the Ming Dynasty, decided he wanted a new house, he wanted to do it up big. Really big. From his […]
Beijing: The sound of the city
Part six in a series As I make the ride from the Beijing airport to our hotel, I have a line from Patrick Watson’s clack-clickity song “Beijing” running as a soundtrack in […]
Ancient culture and the modern makeover
Part five in a series from China It may be the cleanest alley in the world. Walls of ash-gray brick rise three stories on either side, running straight and tight and true. […]
Smooth as silk
Part four in a series from China “Smooth as silk,” it seems, isn’t as smooth as I’ve always been lead to believe. “Is little rougher than polyester,” our guide tells us. “Has […]
China at the World Expo: Larger than larger-than-life
Part three in a series from China China is larger than life. It boasts the world’s largest population. It has the world’s fastest growing economy. It embodies the most dramatic social contrasts. […]
Progressive Culture | Scholars & Rogues 