What is the best book to learn about the history of Shanghai?

Weaving insightful anecdotes with astute analysis, respected journalist Pamela Yatsko addresses these questions and many others to provide a vivid portrait of Shanghai, past and present. New Shanghai's lively narrative, culled from interviews with Shanghainese at all levels of society, explores key aspects of contemporary Shanghai -- from finance, foreign business and state enterprise reform, to vice, culture and social change. New Shanghai takes us into the world of shady Chinese stock speculators, prosperous yuppies, distraught laid-off workers, determined foreign executives and alluring bar girls, giving texture to the tumult that has rocked urban China.

By painting pictures of Shanghai today, New Shanghai offers readers a better understanding of Shanghai and China tomorrow. Describes the incredible renaissance of the city of Shanghai, discussing how the modern city has become a haven of industry and experienced a cultural awakening that has young people and tourists flocking there. Gives texture to the chaos in China since the 1990s.