Everyone will write a short paper (minimum of 1500 words). It can be (1) a book
review of an approved title, or (2) a paper on another approved topic. A good book review should combine a summary of the important aspects of the book, mastery of its contents, and your assessment and reaction to the book. The summary and assessment portions should each be roughly half of the paper. A topical paper will require some additional reading, but no more than the equivalent of one additional book. Beyond the Benson(Benson, Linda. China Since 1949, Second Edition (Essex: Longman, 2011).
) and the Li(Li, Zhisui. The Private Life of Chairman Mao (New York: Random House, 1994).
), your additional reading could include news stories, academic articles, or one additional book.
Pick one of the books form: Evan Osnos, Age of Ambition; or Fang Lizhi, Most Wanted Man in China.
