Chinatized
By Dan Shipman

China is not just a different country; it's a completely different world. In Chinatized, author Dan Shipman offers readers a ticket inside the minds of an American couple as they honestly attempt to find a normal life in mainland China. Follow Dan and Kathryn as they grow through their sometimes-bizarre experiences and resulting observations during the three-year period they resided in China.

Chinatized grew from the real-life letters Dan sent home that capture the development of ideas from an American expatriate's perspective. Employed by a large American construction company, Dan is simply amazed when he walks onto the jobsite the first day. From that horrified first impression to well-received attempts to introduce a bit of American culture, Dan and Kathryn learn to swim in a new pond with the help of expatriate friends—many who had lived in China several years. While Chinatized bears the authentic, thought-provoking feelings of the author, it is not just a travelogue. It is also an investigation of a very different culture from a thoroughly American perspective. Chinatized is required reading for anyone considering working, living, or traveling in China.

"Filled with sometimes frustrating and often humorous anecdotes, this book illustrates the complexities of communicating with people from a very different culture. Common vocabulary is not enough—it conveys an understanding of the philosophy and intrinsic values of the Chinese people, and yet at the same time, how to teach safety and growth toward modern needs."

Ruth Gottstein, Publisher Emerita, Volcano Press

About the author:

Born in Sullivan, Indiana, on January 27, 1950, as the son of a coal miner, Dan Shipman received a degree from Purdue University. His first job was with the United States Department of Agriculture/Soil Conservation Service in Valparaiso, Indiana. Two years later, his quest for adventure led him on a journey into construction with an assignment in Alaska. Dan spent the next 24 years traveling from state to state, country to country, doing what he enjoyed most--communicating and building.

His love for writing played a significant role in his decision to retire early from construction. His lifelong ambition to share a story is being fulfilled from the comfort of his home in Northern California, where he opened a Chinese import business after returning stateside. He moved the original business, established in Jackson, up highway 49 to Sutter Creek. The Business, Turning East, has become a passion and provides him and his wife opportunities to return to China.

Chinatized represents the experiences of his final years in construction. When Questioned about the merits of a book, Dan candidly says, "I just want to be entertained."

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