China Underground.

China Underground

Zachary Mexico

Soft Skull Press

2117-4th St. Suite D, Berkeley, CA 94710

9781593762230, $16.95 www.softskull.com

CHINA UNDERGROUND is a fine firsthand story of a young American's encounter with the 'new China' and its subcultures. From rock stars trying to make it big in Shanghai to a Chinese Mafia kingpin and a punk band trying to stay at the cutting edge of different cultural norms, this provides a fine view of a China trying to change its own culture and its relationship with the world, and is a pick for both armchair readers and any collection interested in modern Chinese affairs.