Larry Herzberg studied Chinese for five years at Vanderbilt University before doing his Master's and Ph.D. work in Chinese Language and Literature at Indiana University. In 1980 he founded the Chinese Language Program at Albion College and then did the same at Calvin College in 1984. For the past three decades he has taught the Chinese language at the college level. He is author of Speak and Read Chinese and along with his wife, Qin Xue Herzberg, of China Survival Guide, Basic Patterns of Chinese Grammar, Chinese Proverbs and Popular Sayings (all from Stone Bridge Press), and A Writing Guide for Learners of Chinese (Yale University Press).

Praise for CHINA SMART5/5 "An invaluable resource for travelers to China as well as those who want to learn more about the country in a succinct format without having the need to page through dry and dense history tomes."—The Manhattan Book ReviewPraise for his previous work CHINA SURVIVAL GUIDE“An ideal, pocket-sized, 264 page compendium packed from cover to cover with practical advice, insightful commentary, and invaluable tips on places to go, things to see, what to do, and what to avoid. . . . China Survival Guide should be considered an essential 'take-along' for anyone visiting China for business or pleasure.”—Midwest Book Review, May 2014"Like [having] a professional guide walking alongside you answering your many questions. . . . A must for your next China visit!"—Travel Answer Man Online"Thank goodness for Larry and Qin Herzberg! Their book was invaluable in helping me anticipate some of the more foreign aspects of traveling in China, not to mention that the book is hilarious! Travel groups will benefit from their expertise on surviving in China with grace and humor."—Susan Glassburn Larimer, China Travel Coordinator, Indiana University School of Social WorkPraise for his previous work BASIC PATTERNS OF CHINESE GRAMMARTypically enthusiastic ONLINE reviewer says: "I am stunned, stuffed and totally amazed that "Basic Patterns of Chinese Grammar...." wasn't one of the compulsory first year texts for a Mandarin speak-read-write course ! It is critical for any student aspiring to speak Mandarin / Hanyu to buy this book as soon as possible ( I can't emphasize this entreaty strongly enough - BUY THIS BOOK ). Others have given the technical reasons for buying it so as a struggling, long-suffering, ongoing student I'll restrict myself to endorsing it."Praise for his previous work CHINESE PROVERBS AND POPULAR SAYINGS"Chinese Proverbs and Popular Sayings is for everyday readers looking for pithy sayings, deeper understanding of the Chinese culture and a unique look at the Chinese language."—The Rapidian

• TABLE OF CONTENTSNote to the ReaderChina’s PastCHAPTER 1 Origin of the word “China”CHAPTER 2 The Great WallCHAPTER 3 The imperial examination systemCHAPTER 4 Two bloody civil wars in ChinaCHAPTER 5 China’s Queen Elizabeth ICHAPTER 6 Hua MulanCHAPTER 7 Foot-bindingCHAPTER 8 Zheng He, the SailorCHAPTER 9 History of tea in ChinaCHAPTER 10 History of silk production in ChinaCHAPTER 11 The history of porcelainCHAPTER 12 Invention of printingCHAPTER 13 Origin of bonsai, tofu, and koiCHAPTER 14 U.S. opium trade with ChinaCHAPTER 15 Chinese Educational MissionCHAPTER 16 Chinese immigration to the U.S.CHAPTER 17 Chiang Kai-shekCHAPTER 18 Mao Ze-dong and his LegacyChina’s Society, Culture, and LanguageCHAPTER 19 Terms for Family Members in ChineseCHAPTER 20 Chinese HolidaysCHAPTER 21 The nature of the Chinese written languageCHAPTER 22 The Spoken Chinese LanguageCHAPTER 23 Chinese dialectsCHAPTER 24 Chinese surnamesCHAPTER 25 Pronunciation of Chinese names in U.S. and British mediaCHAPTER 26 Sayings falsely attributed to the ChineseCHAPTER 27 Lucky and unlucky numbers in ChineseCHAPTER 28 Ethnic groups in ChinaCHAPTER 29 Differences between Chinese culture and Japanese cultureChina TodayCHAPTER 30 The Communist Party and the GovernmentCHAPTER 31 The Chinese MilitaryCHAPTER 32 China’s PopulationCHAPTER 33 The Biggest Cities in ChinaCHAPTER 34 China’s Economic Growth and Rise in Personal IncomesCHAPTER 35 Gender EqualityCHAPTER 36 Marriage and DivorceCHAPTER 37 The LGBT CommunityCHAPTER 38 Youth CultureCHAPTER 39 Automobiles in ChinaCHAPTER 40 Pollution in ChinaCHAPTER 41 Religion in ChinaCHAPTER 42 Chinese students in the U.S.CHAPTER 43 Chinese-American restaurantsCHAPTER 44 American fast-food restaurants in ChinaCHAPTER 45 Most Chinese don’t eat dog meat!CHAPTER 46 High-speed railway system in ChinaCHAPTER 47 The Cashless SocietyCHAPTER 48 The Internet and Social MediaCHAPTER 49 Social Changes and New LawsCHAPTER 50 The Arts and Western Classical MusicCHAPTER 51 China’s Emerging Role in the WorldAt a GlanceChina MapChina Fast FactsChina Timeline and Dynasties Milestones in Chinese HistoryGreat Chinese ArtistsClassic Chinese TextsPowerful Chinese Leaders and PoliticansBibliographyIndex