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This is a poignant and irreverent diary of the author's yearlong (2001-2) experience of teaching English to college students in Beijing, People's Republic of China. From the very first pages, the author draws you into his struggle with a culture worlds away from his comfort zone. The author's generous and compelling personality allowed him to gain access to the lives of his students and their families, who became characters in his tale. One can experience the author's wit and humanity throughout the narrative.

The author's humorous view of China is especially timely and dovetails with the current explosion of interest in that country as it enters the modern world. The book is neither a travelogue nor a look at the government, although elements of those subjects are woven into the story. Instead, it is an engaging look at China, tailored toward those who know little about it. Still, those who have lived and/or traveled there will also enjoy the book as it reminds them of the absurdities they, too, experienced.

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By: Mark
Great book, Kept me up till 4 in the morning. Learned a lot. It seems at least after listening to this fascinating account I don't have much to fear from the Chinese.

By: Mary Froning
As Peter's sister, I can assure you that he did not discuss faith with his students. As you could see in the book, he did talk with them about the Bible, but only as a way of helping them connect with a culture with which he was familiar. When reading the students' letters, we were floored by all the spiritual comments from young people ensconced in a Communist nation. But it wasn't Peter's influence.

By: Phill
Great book. I thought it was interesting that in all of the authors letters I couldn't remember a single mention of Peter's faith, but almost every letter from his students in the last chapter discussed God, the afterlife or a quality associated with real Christianity. I'm curious how Peter affected his students in this.

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