'Foreign Babes in Beijing: Behind the Scenes of a New China' — by Rachel DeWoskin

Back in 1994 Rachel DeWoskin (below),

fresh out of Columbia University, went to China to improve her "nerdy college Chinese."

She found work as an account executive in the Beijing satellite of an U.S. public relations firm.

On a lark she auditioned for a television show to be called "Foreign Girls in Beijing."

She got the part, then learned the name of the show was "Foreign Babes in Beijing."

A year later, when the show was released, it became the Chinese equivalent of "Dynasty" or "Sex and the City, " with an audience of 600 million Chinese.

DeWoskin overnight was a Chinese sex symbol and superstar.

Her memoir of her unlikely course has received rave reviews, with many citing her book for its accuracy and warmth.

I happened on a wonderful interview with her.