Country Driving Summary

The Landscape of Poor and Forgotten

Country Driving by Peter Hessler is an enlightening book that takes the reader on a journey of China’s shift from a rural to a modern economy. Hessler decides to move to China, in which he obtains a Chinese driver’s licenses and sets out on an adventure where he meets a variety of intriguing and unique individuals. The book separates his journey into three unique parts that outline the economic shift. Hessler takes the reader on an up-close and personal experience through the rural political economy of China, taking its economy farm to industry and now rural to city, but not without consequences. Hessler sets out on his journey from east to west along the Great wall, in which he documents the close encounters he has with

Often times we look at China and immediately think about the political constraints that the government has in place. This book puts a human element on the Chinese experience during this time. The human element that Hessler so eloquently writes about, explains why this economic shift was so passionately driven by the people. I have learned that there is a unique relationship between the ordinary citizens of China and the state. China was able to promote nationalism through its education system while providing people with opportunities that they were previously incapable of providing for themselves. You are taught at a very young age to work hard and never give up. You are taught to understand and recognize your imperfection in comparison to the state. It is almost as if the people of China are constantly seeking the approval of the state and not the other way around, like in a democracy. This reflects what we have learned in our readings. It was difficult to understand why one would surrender their pots and pans for the greater good of the state. After reading this book, I now grasp the Chinese passion for a better