Person
Every book Matt Sheehan recommended on podcasts
Matt Sheehan appeared on The Ezra Klein Show to share a curated list of book recommendations focusing on China and contemporary fiction. For his first recommendation, he chose Country Driving by Peter Hessler, noting its resonance for readers of his generation who spent time living and working in China as foreign correspondents. His second recommendation was From the Soil: The Foundations of Chinese Society by Fei Xiaotong, which he highlighted as a foundational text for understanding Chinese social structures. Finally, for his third recommendation, Sheehan selected Zadie Smith's novel On Beauty, explaining that he chose it simply for fun. Through these diverse selections, Sheehan provided listeners with a window into both the socio-political dynamics of modern China and the engaging literary works that have influenced his perspective as a writer and researcher.
Books recommended by Matt Sheehan
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Country Driving
Country Driving by Peter Hessler is a non-fiction narrative chronicling the author's travels along the Great Wall of China and his observations of rapid economic and social transformation in rural Chinese communities.
Recommended“So the first China book is Country Driving by Peter Hler, New Yorker correspondent in a lot of way for people of my generation who went over there and lived there.”
Where to get it
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From the soil, the foundations of Chinese society
From the Soil, the Foundations of Chinese Society by Fei Xiaotong is a classic sociological study that explores the agrarian roots, interpersonal networks, and structural foundations that have historically shaped Chinese civilization.
Recommended“It's called From the Soil: The Foundations of Chinese Society.”
Where to get it
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On Beauty
On Beauty by Zadie Smith is a contemporary novel that explores family dynamics, academic rivalries, cultural identity, and morality against the backdrop of a university town in New England.
Recommended“And the last one, just for fun, uh Zadeie Smith's On Beauty.”
Where to get it
Appearances
| Episode | Podcast | Date | Books |
|---|---|---|---|
| The ‘But China!’ Dilemma Driving the A.I. Race | The Ezra Klein Show | 2026-09-15 | 3 |