Escape from America: An Introspective Journey from America Into China?

Vinnie Apicella

Jan 2020 · Vinnie Apicella

About this ebook

Escape from America combines one American expat’s experience living and working in the United States and China to give an unvarnished account of the world’s dominant superpowers. From a ground-level perspective, Vinnie Apicella finds surprising likenesses between these two seemingly vastly different nations. His bold insights reveal the real people of each country and emphasize the differences between their experiences and the ongoing political rhetoric.

As Escape from America shows, the opinions, achievements, and anxieties of working people in each country are relevant to us all. Apicella argues that much can be learned living among the locals and looking beyond false façades and fabricated truths. Using a balanced blend of praise and criticism toward both countries, he highlights the potential for upward mobility through mutual tolerance and trust.

Apicella sets out to educate and entertain through anecdotes, observations, and years of hard-earned experience. He points to lessons learned about family, education, business, and society inside China to help encourage cultural exchange of ideas and ideals so that we may all benefit. His inspirational story will change our perspective and persuade us to think critically, not just about America, not just about China, but also the place we call “home” and our place in it.

In Escape from America, Apicella provides a blueprint to overcome our biases, fears, and insecurities. He points us in the right direction to explore new trails. He challenges us to expand our horizons. He shows us that, through what he has learned from living abroad, we can improve our understanding of one another while better understanding ourselves.

Ratings and reviews

"This book is not only about the author’s experience in China and his perspectives of China. It is a book that tells you how a native American views his own country and his ever growing cognition of China’s society, working place, Chinese people’s characteristics, ect., before and after he relocates in China. As a Chinese and someone who has never been to America, I always wonder what is America like: is it a paradise, a wholly free and prosperous place? Or is it a problematic land that is filled with ""fat"" people and violence? Also, I am curious how Americans think of us Chinese, do they really know about China or they still have impressions of China thirty years ago? After reading the book, the answers all show themselves. More importantly, I know more about my own country! As the author says, “you can’t really know your own country until you’ve observed it from afar”. Same is true when you stand aside as a reader and listen to a foreigner telling you about his perception of your country. As a resident of China since 2011 and working with various Chinese people and undergoing the rough principles and chaos of China’s working environment, he does have the right to stand out and say something. This is without doubt a book everyone should read. "

About the author

Vinnie Apicella is a professional business writer with more than 30 years’ experience. He has written for Forbes, film and music companies, medical publishers, and e-commerce businesses. Originally from New York, he relocated to China in 2011 and currently operates Shanghai EDGE Consulting to assist students achieve greater success in academics or their professional career.