"Two Years on the Yangtze" - Peter Hessler speaks at Google

In 1996, 26-year-old Peter Hessler arrived in Fuling, a town on China's Yangtze River, to begin a two-year Peace Corps stint as a teacher at the local college. Along with fellow teacher Adam Meier, the two are the first foreigners to be in this part of the Sichuan province for 50 years. Expecting a calm couple of years, Hessler at first does not realize the social, cultural, and personal implications of being thrust into a such radically different society. In River Town: Two Years on the Yangtze, Hessler tells of his experience with the citizens of Fuling, the political and historical climate, and the feel of the city itself.

Over the course of two years, Hessler and Meier learn more they ever...

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Howto & Style

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• google
• howto
• two
• years
• yangtze
• peter
• hessler

[sjsully]

Have not read the second book, but I've read 'River Town'. What a great book. He's an excellent writer and he gives you the foreigner's perspective, on how frustrating it can be sometimes, but also, how funny it can be, while living abroad. Overall, he has that rare ability to not take himself too seriously, but is passionate about the details and the journey. Anyway, I look forward to reading it. Peace!

[michaeldeng1981]

Oh, google channel is not all about technology?? but sometimes it's good

[AlphagraphicsCom]

Oracle Bones sounds like an interesting read. I have good things about "River Town", his first book.

[liufangping]

I love you ,Peter Hessler!!!!!!!

[philiplosophy]

I recently finished Oracle Bones. It is really a captivating tale containing multiple threads of stories. It amazes me that Hessler was able to cover so much about China in just one book, but not lose the reader along the way. Great stuff!

[zwog1]

He is a good writer I've read all the books and many more by others!

I am married to a Chinese girl and once I had to translate a call from an older Chinese woman named Sum Ho ...............疯狂洋鬼子

[autobill2000]

peter

you are a great writer. i read about 3 hours every day. i live in oakland california. email me next time you are nearby and i will take you out to lunch. autobill2000@yahoo.com

[XinBiDe]

Hahaha I teach English in Taiwan. The majority of the names are normal, but I have some students named Coconut, Horse, One... haha

[XinBiDe]

he released a new on in February this year, check it out.

[tobyagainnagain]

@andrewhuang51

Great book

[andrewhuang51]

I have been reading "River Town" since this afternoon till this very moment. It is really a great surprise and enjoyment to see author himself speaking from youtube and google(I have been imagine what the author would look like ) and puzzled that how an American would be mistook as Uighur in China.

Thanks

[a2thelexhaha]

haha, Hessler's all fidgety while the girl does the introduction!