The Shanghai Free Taxi
- 320 pages
- 12 hours of reading
Real lives in modern Shanghai - a portrait of a dynamic city struggling against a repressive regime
Frank Langfitt Books
Frank Langfitt's work delves into the dynamic shifts of the global landscape, capturing the complex events shaping Western Europe. His decade reporting from China provided unique opportunities to witness societal changes through immersive projects. He champions a narrative approach that prioritizes human stories and authentic experiences to illuminate broader social and political trends. Through his journeys and observations, Langfitt offers readers a deeper understanding of contemporary global challenges.
As any traveler knows, some of the best and most honest conversations take place during car rides. So, when a long-time NPR correspondent wanted to learn more about the real China, he started driving a cab--and discovered a country amid seismic political and economic change.China--America's most important competitor--is at a turning point. With economic growth slowing, Chinese people face inequality and uncertainty as their leaders tighten control at home and project power abroad.In this adventurous, original book, NPR correspondent Frank Langfitt describes how he created a free taxi service--offering rides in exchange for illuminating conversation--to go beyond the headlines and get to know a wide range of colorful, compelling characters representative of the new China. They include folks like "Beer," a slippery salesman who tries to sell Langfitt a used car; Rocky, a farm boy turned Shanghai lawyer; and Chen, who runs an underground Christian church and moves his family to America in search of a better, freer life.Blending unforgettable characters, evocative travel writing, and insightful political analysis, The Shanghai Free Taxi is a sharply observed and surprising book that will help readers make sense of the world's other superpower at this extraordinary moment.