Oracle Bones: A Journey Between China's Past and Present

I'm biased. I enjoyed Hessler's observations as his career and relationships developed in China partly because I tied my own experiences to them. It was very validating to have the author come to similar conclusions to ridiculous situations I was familiar with. The story of the deep history of China told through the Oracle Bones and their scholars mixes well with more contemporary histories of youngsters moving to the Overnight City and hustling Uighur tradesmen.

I'd recommend this book to anyone who hasn't yet visited China...especially if you're coming from a Western background. It's an honest take at a confusing and remarkable culture.