Author of "The Second Sex," and one of the 20th century's most brilliant writers, Simone de Beauvoir turns her attention eastward to China and paints a masterly picture of that nation in modern times. Honest and detailed, it comes from de Beauvoir's personal journey through the country: "I have tried to evaluate all the knowledge gained at first-hand, by actually seeing places and talking with people," she said, poignantly, noting how the Chinese "are fighting hard to build a human world." Invaluable.