American Culture

The following books are essential to read in order to understand the American culture.

"The Bible" - Over 50% of Americans are Christians. Christianity is the important foundation of the American culture. For example, the story of "David vs. Goliath" came from chapter 17 of 1 Samuel in the Old Testament. You can usually get the Bible for free from Christian organizations. Or you can read it online. Definitely read "Genesis" and "Exodus" in the Old Testament and "John" and "Revelation" in the New Testament.

Also read this interesting book whose authors think that God used Chinese characters to reveal the same story written in the beginning of the Bible: Genesis and the Mystery Confucius Couldn't Solve

CIA's Factbook Web page has statistical information about US people, geography, government, economy, etc.

Personal Finance and Wealth

"Rich Dad, Poor Dad" - a great book about how the rich and the poor think differently about money and education, and how they make their livings in different ways.
Check it out

"The Millionaire Next Door: The Surprising Secrets of America's Wealthy" - a book about how ordinary people get rich in the US.
Check it out

"The Only Investment Guide You'll Ever Need" - offers sound, basic advice on investing: Keep it safe and keep it simple. It uses colorful and entertaining language.
Check it out

Economy and New Thoughts

"The World is Flat" - a book on global economy, focusing on competition from India and China.
Check it out

"Lexus and the Olive Tree" - perspectives on global economy, with vivid images and compelling analogies.
Check it out

"The Cluetrain Manifesto" - 95 theses about the new reality of the networked marketplace (e.g. thesis 74: "We are immune to advertising, just forget it.")
Check it out

Related to China

"China Attacks" - Published in Aug. 2000, tells a story about fast Chinese attack on Taiwan, slow response by the US, and how some US military officers and a CIA analyst saved Taiwan from disaster and the US from defeat.
Check it out

"The Rape of Nanking" - a recount of the horrible events happened in Nanjing under Japanese occupation. (The author, Iris Chang, died in November 2004, in California.)
Check it out

"The Private Life of Chairman Mao : The Memoirs of Mao's Personal Physician" - written by 李志绥.
Check it out