"Bell places the minutiae of academic administration in the context of China’s post-Cultural Revolution attempt to reinstate a ‘complex bureaucratic system informed by the ideal of political meritocracy.’ His depiction of this goal’s uneven achievement is enriched by anecdotes about censorship, corruption, the importance of seemingly frivolous aesthetic matters, Shandong’s drinking culture, and the occasionally comic failures of Chinese institutions to convey their aims abroad."

The New Yorker

"<i>The Dean of Shandong</i> wonderfully weaves together Bell’s deep knowledge of Chinese thought, political institutions, and everyday life in an extremely accessible style."<b>---Paul J. D’Ambrosio, <i>Los Angeles Review of Books</i></b>

"An insightful memoir of the author’s time as an administrator at a Chinese university. . . . Bell's book is at times frank, perceptive and wryly amusing."<b>---James Crabtree, <i>Financial Times</i></b>

"[A] terrific book. . . . A very entertaining and insightful short memoir of what it’s like to run part of a university, being neither a Chinese citizen nor a member of the Party, and having to deal with issues that are the kind of issues that administrators all over the world deal with—drinking, for example, not just by students, but mostly by administrators, and other issues as well. . . . <i>The</i> <i>Dean of Shandong</i> is a cool book."<b>---William Kirby, <i>Sinica Podcast</i></b>

"[Bell] wants to encourage 'understanding and sympathy' for a people who have made extraordinary economic and social gains in only a few decades, who are mainly extremely hard working, and who share similar hopes for their families and futures as we do. We must certainly be vigilant. But, as Bell suggests, our vigilance should be tempered by humanity and the desire for engagement, not ostracism."<b>---Richard Horton, <i>The Lancet</i></b>

"Fascinating insight into life in China from the perspective of a non-Chinese academic. Bell offers a frank assessment of the realities of being a scholar in China. . . . Highly recommended for anyone interested in academia in present-day China."

Library Journal

"Bell gives nuanced and sophisticated details about the logic of the daily functioning of the Chinese political meritocracy. . . . Bell also shares his experience of daily collective leadership at Shandong University and offers perceptive insider viewpoints. . . . Overall, this is a very readable book written from a ’progressive conservative perspective.’"<b>---Haimo Li, <i>Dao</i></b>

"Daniel A. Bell was the first foreign dean of a politics faculty in a mainstream, mainland Chinese university; he therefore has a unique story to tell. It is a revealing story, combining Bell’s recollections with his analysis of what went on under the surface in a specific Chinese organisation, together with other topics that are part of the life of a dean in any university. . . . Overall, this book brings to life many aspects of organisational life in China as well giving an insight into the personal career of a leading scholar of China when faced with a unique opportunity and challenge."<b>---Martin Lockett, <i>Asian Affairs</i></b>

"[A] riveting, unapologetically humorous read. . . . Bell takes a remarkably nuanced approach in his social commentary—which is neither bombastic nor patronising. . . . On topics such as corruption and accountability mechanisms, Bell offers more sophisticated musings than can be found across much of the reductionist, existing discourse."<b>---Brian Wong, <i>China-US Focus</i></b>

"A new memoir from a Westerner living as a bureaucrat in China's education system has important lessons for America. . . . [Bell] gives Western readers a unique vision into the new China."<b>---Jesse Russell, <i>American Conservative</i></b>

"A unique contribution to our understanding of China’s higher education system and to the field of Chinese studies more generally."<b>---Terry Bodenhorn, <i>China Quarterly</i></b>

"Informative, enlightening. . . . Highly recommended. General readers through faculty."

Choice Reviews

"Fair and honest in its judgments, [<i>The Dean of Shandong</i>] offers readers a sympathetic but objective view of academic and social life in China and is a welcome corrective to the unhinged narratives about China that pass for the norm today."<b>---Shuchen Xiang, <i>Philosophy East and West</i></b>

"Bell’s account is amusing and enjoyable, from his description of the use of emojis in messages between colleagues, to his decision to dye his hair in order to fit in. Bell offers useful insights into ideology, politics and how China might be better understood. . . . Highly readable and informative."<b>---Tim Summers, <i>International Affairs ​​​​​​​</i></b>

"Bell offers an introspective and insightful account of his deanship in Shandong, providing a rare glimpse into the inner workings of a university in mainland China through the eyes of an outsider."<b>---Yu Tao, <i>Asian Studies Review</i></b>

"A breath of fresh air for those of us frustrated with the latest genre of studying China through abstract modes and dry data, which often yield little concrete knowledge about the country. . . . Bell's readable chapters are down-to-earth, giving readers a feeling of being there and observing in-person. Together, they paint an authentic picture of China—how individuals and organizations operate at grassroots, how things work or do not work on a daily basis, what progress and retrogression take place, and more. . . . This is the major contribution of Bell’s book: to humanize and normalize China as a country."<b>---Yan Sun, <i>China Review</i></b>

"An enjoyable read. . . . [<i>The Dean of Shandong</i>] gives the reader a firsthand account of living in a country/civilization that is impossible to find in the Western media."<b>---Saralee Turner, <i>iAffairs</i></b>

"[An] illuminating analysis of the Chinese political system today."<b>---Mal Warwick, <i>Mal Warwick on Books</i></b>