Description
The Hidden Face of China
Book Summary
This book offers a unique and profound look at the real China, the one that exists beyond the headlines and official propaganda. Journalist Isidre Ambrós compiles his chronicles as a correspondent to share a decade of experiences in the Asian giant. Through its pages, the reader will discover the country's evolution from the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games to the Covid-19 pandemic, with a focus on ordinary people, their daily struggles, and their aspirations. An essential work to understand the complexity of a society that aspires to world leadership.
What is it about?
The book traces China's transformation through the eyes of a privileged witness. Isidre Ambrós invites us to get to know the daily lives of its inhabitants, from economic setbacks to the humblest joys, revealing a reality that often remains hidden behind the shine of the big cities. The narrative is built from journalistic chronicles that address key events such as the 2010 Shanghai World Expo and the impact of epidemics such as SARS and Covid-19. The author manages to penetrate a society traditionally reserved with foreigners, portraying real characters and explaining the functioning of a complex system under the control of the Communist Party. It is, in essence, a journey to the heart of contemporary China, showing how the silent sacrifice of its people has been fundamental to its rise as a global power.
Main themes
- Social and economic transformation of China in the 21st century.
- Daily life and aspirations of Chinese citizens.
- Impact of global events (Olympic Games, expos, pandemics) on Chinese society.
- The role of the Communist Party in the control and direction of the country.
- Journalistic chronicle and personal testimony as tools to understand a culture.
Who is it recommended for?
This book is aimed at readers interested in current international affairs, geopolitics, and Asian culture. It is ideal for those seeking a more human and less institutional understanding of China, beyond macroeconomic data. It will also be of great interest to fans of travel literature and quality narrative journalism, as well as anyone who wishes to understand the keys to the society that aspires to be the next global superpower.
What this book offers
- An authentic and intimate vision of the real China, far from stereotypes and propaganda.
- An analysis of the country's evolution throughout a crucial decade, from 2008 to the pandemic.
- First-hand testimonies and experiences that humanize major historical and political processes.
- A deep understanding of the contradictions and complexities of contemporary Chinese society.
Technical data
- Author: Ambrós, Isidre
- Publisher: Editorial Diéresis, S.L.
- Language: Spanish
- Topic: Reporting and collection of journalistic articles, Travel literature
- Collection: PRIMERA PAGINA
- Binding: Paperback
- Publication date: March 2021
- Number of pages: 320
- Weight: 483 g
Editorial review
This work is presented as a journalistic testimony of great value for those seeking to go beyond superficial news about China. The author's experience as a correspondent for a decade gives him a credibility and depth that enrich every chronicle. The combination of analysis of major events with the portrait of the daily life of anonymous people makes the book accessible and revealing. It is a recommended read for anyone interested in understanding the internal dynamics of one of the most influential and, at the same time, most opaque societies on the planet.