Reading Into a New China, Volume 1 (Chinese and English Edition) Paperback – October 10, 2016

Previous versions of this book were both good (A New Text For Modern China / Reading Into a New China, First Edition). This edition has several shortcomings compared to the first edition. The font is much smaller, and the contrast on the paper is lower, with some text printed in washed out colors. The product picture is deceptive: the actual book is only half the thickness of the one shown in the picture. It seems the publisher decided to make the book much smaller. This despite the fact that the new edition now contains both traditional and simplified character versions of the main readings (although not the exercises or explanatory material.) I can read the first edition without reading glasses, but need them for this edition. Given the shortcomings I think it is an open question whether this volume is really an improvement on the first edition. It does include some updated material. For example, the first chapter's text has an updated number for China's population. Since this "updated" edition was just published I would have expected more current content (e.g. mobile technology and social media in China.) Considering the higher price for a new copy of the 2nd edition and the availability of used copies of the 1st edition I think instructors should choose carefully between the two when deciding whether to use this edition. Either could be a good choice, given that the content itself is well selected and organized for developing reading skills.

My family and I like it very much. Thank you very much.

This textbook just arrived, in generally good quality, but definitely not new. There is hand-writing in the first chapter. The rest of the textbook seems to be unmarked, which is why I'm giving it a 3 star review.