1982 (book)

1982 is a non-fiction book by Michael Meyer, published in 2013 by Harcourt. It documents the year 1982 through the author's experiences and observations in China, using diary entries and reflections written thirty years later. Meyer, a former Peace Corps volunteer, presents a personal and cultural exploration of China during a period of significant transition and reform, four years after Deng Xiaoping began to open the country to the outside world.

The book focuses on Meyer's daily life as a teacher in a small Sichuanese town, his interactions with locals, and his insights into the shifting political and social landscape of the time. It provides a close-up look at the everyday realities of life in China during a pivotal era, capturing the nuances of a society undergoing rapid change. Themes explored include cultural exchange, the impact of modernization, personal identity, and the complexities of cross-cultural understanding.