Orville Schell

“Think of your pension” — and other writing tips from esteemed China hands

Peking Hotel interviewees talk about how to become a better writer, how to write a book, and how not to go broke doing it.

Oct 7, 2025 • Anise Broccoli

Real Ideals and False Hopes: Seeing China in the Vietnam War — with Orville Schell

The war re-alchemised the notion that a scholar’s job – and even a reporter’s – is to understand the world, not help the government.

Sep 10, 2024 • 何流｜Liu He

55:51

I Was Locked In A Cave On My First Trip to China — with Orville Schell

And the first thing they said was: who are you spying for? Who do you work for? And I thought, holy shit, I'm really in trouble here.

Jul 3, 2024 • 何流｜Liu He

59:27

Deng Xiaoping, Democracy Wall, and the Dialetics of China — with Orville Schell

When Deng Xiaoping arrived, they lost their minds. Overnight, all the corporate leaders were gathered; everybody wanted to wear a Mao suit.

May 25, 2024 • 何流｜Liu He

39:38

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