China Books

What can I say? Just when the world seemed too complicated, too unfair, and too harsh to bear... along came Charlie. I have been infected with the spirit and perseverence of this wise and glorious Hong Kong Cockatoo.

Readers will find themselves seeing Charlie everywhere they look. I often find myself in new situations where there doesn't seem to be a reasonable way out. Often, when faced with these dilemmas, I ask myself, "What would Charlie do?" Sacriledge say you? I think not. If the lord's glorious message cannot be found in our multicolored and multicultured fine feathered friend, then where can it be found? Amen.

Again, without the inspiration of Charlie and all he has taught me about friendship and seeing the world for what it truly is: a world of beauty, adventure, and peace; I don't know where I'd be today.

Thank you Charlie. I shall always think first before eating another deep-fried breaded chicken sandwich. I will even pause and remember the sacrifice of the muppet before putting on my warm fleece. I will not cast away these materialistic things however. I know that you will want the world to continue as it is. For in trying to change the world to fit your own view, there is only disappointment.

Thank you Charlie, for helping me see the world for what it is, so that I may walk upon this earth without unrealistic expectations or harsh judgements.

You go bird. Do that thing you do.

If you love companion parrots, especially cockatoos, you will probably appreciate this book. I found the book was more about the life of the Topping family, though, which I also happened to find fun and interesting to read about. The book is fast-paced and upbeat as it delivers funny snippets from the author's life with her "baby boy" - any cockatoo owner can easy relate. However, I would have enjoyed more real stories about Charlie rather than the focus on sensationalistic "one-liners" from Charlie. The last chapter takes a dramatic turn and left me sobbing - I don't think the tone or abruptness of the ending added anything to the book and is definitely not for the faint of heart. Overall, though, the book is well worth the read. It left me wishing I had known Charlie, as well as his family.

I fell in love with the beautiful bird, and I admire the way story is presented. It is funny, it is personable and written with a great talent. Audrey Topping helps one to appreciate the wonderful world of birds and animals.

"Charlie's World" is very well written book. I was reminded of the time when Audrey was ten years old, and came to the house with two crows on her shoulders. Both crows were talkers. Audrey is an exceptionally good writer, and the book is a MUST for all. I had to read it in One sitting.

I love this enchanting memoir of a brilliant and irreverent cockatoo who adopts a family of 7 humans and then guides, instructs, and scolds them, while roving the world with them. It is hilarous, tender, wise, and all true. This isn't just a pet book. This book is rich with cultural history, psychological nuance, and drama. It's a book that readers in virtually every culture can relate to. I couldn't put it down.

This is by far my favorite Chinese cookbook. The directions are so easy and straightfoward, and all of the dishes I've made are truly scrumptious. My kids love it, too, although they always want me to make things spicier. I highly recommend this book, you won't need any other Chinese cookbook.

I've been a hobby Chinese cook for about 10 years, since I found this book for $1 on a table along NYC's Broadway on the Upper West Side. Its perfectly adapted recipes for the American kitchen are true to the original intent, and you will be able to create great meals at home with little trouble to replace that cold take-out.

Lest it sound that it's not for the serious chef, the instructions provide lots of interesting details about the true Chinese recipes and ingredients. If you live in a city or town that gives you access to the true ingredients (as I do), then you can also play authentic Chinese cook for your family or friends.

All-in-all, one of the most used cookbooks in our house, where we have well over 100, and my wife is a professional chef!

I was looking for a really good Char Shue (Chinese Bar-B-Q Pork) recipe since having this delicous treat at Chef Chew's restaurant in CA. For years, nothing came close to what I had that day. Then I found this book by Chef Chew and I wouldn't part with it for anything! It's well written and it's got some of the best authentic chinese cuisine in it *YUM!*

You won't be disappointed!

There were so many Chinese cookbooks available so I had to try something different to pick one. So I looked inside the cover and picked out the best looking Chef I could find.

That may sound wierd, but the quality of food I cooked was amazing. Chef Chu takes traditional Chinese cooking to the next level with his unique touches that can't be found in any other cookbook out there. Chef Chu not only covers how to cook great Chinese, but how to make the dishes look like artwork.

If you are serious about cooking Chinese food, this is THE book to get.

This is a very good food textbook, simple, clear, easy, no gimmicky or outrageous and so-called innovative modern Chinese nouvelle cuisine, such as those made up in "Susanna Foo Chinese Cuisine." The other one that I found as authentic as it is "Mrs. Chiang's Szechwan Cookbook" by Ellen Schrecker and her husband. Only the latter is so authentically Chinese that you may have to reduce certain fat from the ingrdients by using leaner stuff.

This is an exceptional book about what China was like as it emerged from the insanity of the Cultural Revolution. Fox Butterfield tells a compelling story about a China looking at the abyss. He helps you appreciate how amazing China's economic growth has been given where she was in 1980. His insight into the massive disillusionment that was born out of the Cultural Revolution also helps one understand why there are so many "quality" problems with food and products today.

Fox Butterfield has an exceptional eye for the little details that give you a sense of what is important to Chinese people in the 1980s. As you read his book, you not only learn about Chinese history, you also learn about Chinese cultural values. If you want to understand China today, you must read China: Alive in the Bitter Sea. It will move you, it will sadden you and it will teach you. What it won't do is bore you.

I agree with the other reviewers of this book: I just couldn't put it down. But what is REALLY interesting is that Mr Butterfield's college-age Canadian/Chinese assistant, Jan Wong, wrote her own book about ten years later in which she also shared her perspective on the years covered in this book AND covers "what happened next" (after Butterfield left) ... both books complement each other and are great reads!

Around twenty-three years old, and therefore completely out of date, 'China: Alive in the Bitter Sea' is nevertheless an amazing read and it is invaluable as an historical document. It's not China today; it's China yesterday. It's a great book to read in order to understand China's more recent modern history, as it affected those Chinese who make China today.

Everyone who wants to really understand modern China should read this book. The author captured the political turmoil and tragedy of culture revolution, and the everyday Chinese life with many captivating human stories from all walks of Chinese society. The book was published in 1982. I wish the author could go back to China and write an update book on the changes in the last twenty years.

I also suggest reading Ayn Rand's Anthem together with this book

The magnitude of suffering that the Chinese have endured this century is truly inconceivable. This book helps one to relate to it through the stories of those Chinese that Mr. Butterfield was able to talk to, not too long after the Cultural Revolution ended. It really makes one think: How does such a period of mass cultural insanity happen? Is it just a result of economics and youthful demographics? Could it happen anywhere? Was it no different than the nazis or the Khmer Rouge or the Inquisition? Are we even in such a period now, and dont know it? Mr. Butterfield does a valuable service in preserving this record of human suffering and endurance.

Could there be a plot to help the Chinese take control of our government? Just how hard would that be? Could it be prevented once started? What would happen to our nation if they won? The Chinese Conspiracy brings such possibiloity into 'could-happen' as an unexpected win puts an unknown into the governor's chair in Virginia. He reveals quickly his agenda of forging close ties with communist China. The story begins with the disappearance of two CIA employees and a trap set for a third, Kit Olsen. Will it force her into the arms of the enemy? Or will she be able to withstand the pressures and threats they can exert on her. When her son is kidnapped, she is forced to face the desperation of the situation. Carter Leigh is a newspaper man of some experience and resents being sent to interview the new governor who reacts sharply to some inadvertent statement Carter makes. This gives Carter an idea there may be a story behind that reaction. Kit and Carter wind up working together to rescue her son and keep him safe. Kit discovers how the new governor won his election. How many others in the country have also been the victors in rigged elections? Can they stop it from going further? Who can she trust? This is a story that will hold your interest all the way through. The characters are lifelike, each driven by necessity or protecting ones they love or by motives of greed or power. One will remember The Manchurian Candidate, but this is a more complex story. There are many questions to answer as the story unfolds and more forming as Kit and Carter try to unscramble the mess. Highly recommended as an enjoyable read, one that will make you wonder about the usefulness of some technology and just where our society really is headed. Lots of tension, lots of movement, never duoll. Enjoy. I sure did.

I WAS HOOKED ON THE FIRST WORD I ENJOYED HER FIRST BOOK KICK BACK SO I FIGURED I WOULD TRY THIS ONE AND I AM GLAD I DID THIS IS ONE GREAT BOOK I HAPPENED UPON HERS BOOKS IN STAUNTON VIRGINIA AT THE BOOK STACK A PLACE SHE MENTIONS IN THIS BOOK AND YES THEY DO HAVE A CAT THIS IS ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS THAT I HAVE READ INA LONG TIME

Kit Olson is a top-notch computer programmer. She's so good, her employer, the CIA, pulls her into a top-secret project. Her task? To interpret a computer program written in Chinese and find its purpose. She soon discovers that the code is simple, designed to count. But if it's that simple, why are the people who worked on it before her dead?

The stakes rise immediately as Kit's son is kidnapped, and she is coerced into providing information on the program. Discredited by certain government officials and implicated in the murders of former coworkers, Kit seemingly has nowhere to take the evidence she discovers of what the computer program really does: inaccurately count votes, which results in the election to office of certain people who have the best interests of China in mind.

In a wild race to expose the program before the winner of one of its vote tallies is sworn into office, Kit finds herself making desperate moves and trusting the wrong people. A superb twist brings together all of the plot elements at the end.

China Conspiracy can be best described as taking a heart-pounding ride on the hair-raising turns of a roller coaster.

Author Patricia Terrell, or p.m. terrell, heats up the suspense and increases the temperature degree by excruciating degree. An expert in the computer field herself, Terrell brings authenticity and an insider look at the way things work behind the scenes in the government. Her clients have included the US Secret Service, CIA and the Department of Defense, as well as various local law enforcement agencies.

China Conspiracy is the second in a series of suspense/thriller books with strong female heroines well-versed in the various positions in the technology world.

Terrell wastes no words as she brings to life the peril and suspense her characters face. Strong dialogue and vivid characters, coupled with detailed setting, work seamlessly to fill the pages of China Conspiracy. The author has effortlessly set herself at the top of the ranks of suspense writers.

P. M. Terrell, author of the wildly successful KICKBACK, is back with another hair-raising, fast-paced thriller pitting a savvy programmer, a tv news reporter out of his depths, & an enigmatic Chinese-American translator against a dogged police inspector, a newly elected politician & the shadow men of the CIA & FBI.

From a news conference with a governor-elect who has a strange reaction to the phrase "starving children in China," to a ski resort in a blizzard where snow plows unearth a corpse, to an inner chamber where computer printouts of a super-secret program must be decoded, to an inauguration on the steps of a state's Capitol, to clandestine meetings and security lockdowns, THE CHINA CONSPIRACY winds the excitement tight, as Kit Olsen & her amateur team pursue the conspirators who have put the results of a recent election in doubt.

Only an elite group of people knew that Universal Computer Technologies "UCT" was an outpost for the CIA. Kit Olsen was one of the best programmers for the company. She was excited when Joan informed her that she was being put on a top secret project with Chen and to report to "Customs". Very few people ever went to the section known as "Customs". It was the tightest security section of UCT and no one knew what happened there. Kit and Chen were to work together in an attempt to crack a code/program. Shortly after they began, Kit witnessed Joan being abducted. Joan was the second UCT employee to disappear.

Kit's world became a nightmare! Someone wanted the program she was working on enough to kidnap her teenage son, Tim. Kit must somehow figure out who the good guys were and who were not. No one could be fully trusted!

***** In a word ... "Wow!" Author P. M. Terrell kept me on the edge of my seat from beginning to end. In fact, I could not put the book down for long and ended up reading the entire story in a single day!

The characters are realistic and the story is full of suspense and intrigue. This novel will have readers begging for more from this awesome author. Highly recommended! *****

The Value of the eight chapters in this volume -- each dealing with a major issue affecting business in China -- is that they are by well-regarded experts in their fields, with lenghty hands-on experience in the subjects they discuss. Thus, these essays go well beyond speculations and value judgements and really deal in depth with specifics that can inform those running and investing in businesses in China. They also offer startling insights that often trigger a rethinking of conventional wisdom about the country. For example,in a comprehensive examination of demographics in China, Tony Saich (Daewoo Professor of International Affairs at the Kennedy School of Government) observes, "China will be the first society to grow old before it grows rich."

This volume provides the modus operandi for analyzing the key aspects of China, including political, economic/financial and social. There are all too many people who claim or wish to give the appearance of "China Hands". Messrs. Hoffmann and Enright and the contributors to this book do not need to make such a claim or appearance because they ARE simply the best. I strongly recommend this book to the attention of those who are seriously trying to understand China and would like to get pragmatic perspectives as to the reality on the ground and considerations for their business.

Based on their experience and intensely detailed work, I know of no better individuals than John and Michael to comment on China. Yet they have gone further. They have assembled an influential group of experts who can accurately interpret the soundbites broadcast from inside China to give guidance to those outside looking in. THAT wealth of insight makes this a must have book.
Kiron Chatterjee
NMSEZ Private Limited
Mumbai, India

This is a must read for anyone seriously considering doing business with or in China. China economics are vast and at best mysterious. The editors have pulled together experts that present a real life view on China economics and politics that are either distorted by some media or totally missed by "China Experienced" consultants. Leadership impact is discussed with different chain of events that produce different potential futures. A great tool for corporate planners to follow as a road map to see which of the identified potentials become real and the route to the future is defined.

The editors have pulled together some of the best experts on Greater China and given the reader some advantage and comfort with the potential outcomes in a very complex and important market. The knowlege of leadership succession and the use of over the horizon planning can offer corporate leadership in the region as strong advantage. This book is a great start point.

This is an absolutely delightful book. It makes the perfect gift for anyone interested in Chinese affairs providing remarkable insight. I was devastated to read the irresponsible inaccuracies in China Wakes by Nicholas D. Kristof and Sheryl Wudunn. Theirs was a China written in the tradition of Ugly Americans who stay at the Palace Hotel for one week complaining about the lack of ice for their Coke. I vowed that I would never ever read another book on China written by American journalists. Luckily, I was given Mike Chinoy's book by a friend. Absolutely brilliant!

This is one of the better books on China that I've read. I lived in Beijing for two years, and feel that, unlike Kristoff and Dunn in China Wakes, Mike Chinoy really understands China and what makes this most mysterious country tick. And like Jan Wong in Red China Blues, he goes through a transition of being gung-ho on Maoism to seeing the reality of the situation in China. This is one of the things that makes both books so believable. As I am a journalist, I also can appreciate the red tape he went through to get the story out. Chinoy also does an excellent job of describing the Tian'anmen massacre -- one of the better descriptions I've read. I really recommend this book. It's excellent!

I have always imagined that foreign correspondents live more exciting lives than the rest of us, so I read Mike Chinoy's "China Live" to see a glimpse of the truth. Upon reading "China Live," I was pleased with to obtain an inspiring and balanced account of the career path of CNN's first Beijing Bureau Chief. As a journalist, Chinoy was crafty, dedicated, and intrepid. As trite as it may sound, his book leaves you with the feeling that you can go on to achieve great things and leave a significant and lasting mark upon the world. It is especially suitable for sinophiles and aspiring journalists, but also recommended for anyone who enjoys to read.

Mike Chinoy has done an excellent job of bringing to life a country that many people think they know so much about but in reality know so lillte about. China is a fascinating country. I spent six weeks there two years ago at a central bank conference so I studied the country in great detail. After my return I read Mike Chinoy's book and I feel it is a balanced account of the Middle Kingdom. Chinoy tells of his fascination with the country in the early days of U.S.-Sino relations. He details the changes that take place after the death of Mao Zadong and the economic changes through he leadership of Deng Xiopang. But his best reporting is the riveting account of June 4, 1989. This was Tiananmen Square and the brutal assault of the peaceful demonstrators. Chinoy was in the thick of the assault and he details his experiences not only on the night but also the next few days. All Chinese should read this book. Many Chinese think that the press has embellished what happened that night and that the government needed to restore order. Reading Chinoy's book may lead them to re-assess their governemnt's brutal policies. As a self-appointed Sinologist and one that has read many many articles and books on " Zhong guo" I would highly recommend this book. And some day I might get the opportunity to sit and talk with Mike Chinoy about his experiences in China.

I could not put this book down. Chinoy (a cousin of mine, but that bears no influence in my review) invites you into the past where you find yourself in the midst of major historical events. His writing is filled with sincere emotion, high-spirited wit and a true sense of the human struggle to be free from opression. The book also opens the door to the fast-paced and unpredictable life of the foreign correspondent and how that role in our society has changed and is changing. A truly insightful book that should make its way into high school history classes -- I would have actually stayed awake in class if we had had material like this.

A fine book on a marine in the process of occupation duty clearly a true standout to the thousands of marine corps memoirs, and on a personal note E.B. Sledge isn't dead I am watching him on the t.v., on the show 'D-day's in the South Pacific'. This is a fine book and really worth reading, even though i personally felt he should have made sergeant and at least received a bronze star though he felt being there was enough. I personally thank all the men who fought and died for our freedom in any war, for any cause.

E. B. Sledge's "With the Old Breed" is by common consent one of the finest -- if not the finest -- account of the life of a combat infantryman in World War II. At Pelieu and Okinawa, Sledge was one of only 10 men in his Marine company of 240 to escape being wounded or killed. "China Marine" is the follow-up to "With the Old Breed," a lesser work but one that tells of what happened to Sledge after the war.

With Sledge's experience, one would have thought that he would have been among the first among the military to be demobilized after the end of the war with Japan -- but no, he and his colleagues were sent to China to disarm the Japanese soldiers there and to maintain order in several northern Chinese cities. This is Sledge's account of the six months he spent in China. His view is that of a Private First Class -- but an educated and sophisticated PFC, the son of a medical doctor from Mobile, Alabama, and an outstanding writer. He delighted in Peking, fresh food, a clean bunk, light duties, and friendship with the sophisticated Soong family -- but the danger from attack by communist armies was always there.

Sledge goes on to tell of the trauma of his discharge from the Marines and homecoming to Mobile and, briefly, his long years of struggle with what we call today Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. It's a small book, only 160 pages, and an interesting, beautifully written, account of the decompression of a combat soldier and his return home.

Sledge died in 2001 but he was often quoted in Ken Burn's recent PBS series on World War II. Sledge is a true American hero.

Smallchief

After WWII and the follow-on duty in China, the author decided to enroll at Auburn University. The female from the Registrar's Office "slammed her pencil on the table and said in a loud, exasperated voice, 'Didn't the Marine Corps teach you anything?' A gasp ran through the crowd, and you could have heard a pin drop."

Veteran Marine Sledge said in a loud, calm voice: "Lady, there was a killing war. The Marine Corps taught me how to kill Japs and try to survive. Now, if that don't fit into any academic course, I'm sorry. But some of us had to do the killing -- and most of my buddies got killed or wounded."

On the last page, the author writes a powerful, thought-provoking message for the great mass of spoiled Americans (94% today are not vets) who never served. He reminds them that the Japanese soldier was "imbued with the Code of Bushido (Code of the Warrier) and yamata damashii (the fighting power of Japan). If we had not defeated an army that thought it was unbeatable, who knows how many American cities might have shared the horrid Rape of Nanking."

China Marine: An Infantryman's Life After World War II is the powerful World War II memoir of E. B. Sledge and the sequel to his "With The Old Breed: At Peleliu And Okinawa". Sledge is a veteran of the physical and psychological scars of war, and this former Marine narrates the end of the old China and the rise of the Communist state through the eyes of someone who was there and saw it all. Sledge also presents the troubles of having to adapt to civilian life when the era of combat had faded. A moving true story of balancing life with the immense demands of nobly serving one's country, China Marine is a welcome and recommended contribution to the growing library of World War II era biographies, autobiographies, and memoirs.

When "With the Old Breed" ends you do not know the entire story. This volume fills that gap and does so very well. It is written in the same style that is direct and concise. I think many civilians thought that when WWII was over the troops just came home and all was well. It was not so. Many had further duty and had a rough time of it on return to the States. Almost all became exemplary citizens again despite their hardships. This book puts that all in perspective.
Larry Martin
Gainesville, FL

These books are one and the same except that "...Jenny Next" was published in 1981 by E.P.Dutton in NY and Ont. What is intriguing is the fact that a hard copy of the latter, purchased on line, was stamped in red ink: "REMOVE" on the closed edges and "NOT TO BE LOANED". But it still had a library card in the back from the Buffalo-Erie Libray complete with plastic cover. This is very stark evidence of the antics and power of the CIA during those years as well as Truman's paranoid fear of China. Believable? You bet and you better if the people are to insist on contols to prevent a repeat of such wanton activities from ever happening again. It was not felt that the project and the results obtained were worth the cost of one service man's life much less the eight or more that gave their all. If anyone ever deserved the Medal of Honor, Gardella did and still does.

Mr. Gardella book, China Maze is not only an account of events that need to be revieled to the public regarding what happend to him, but happens to double nicely as a coming of age account. The book is fast paced start to finish. It is not weighted down with excess literary language. Therefore it is accessable to readers at most levels, if not all. It is a coming of age account that is rooted in a military setting. As such, it opens a door into an alternative form of coming of age setting. Typically, coming of age stories are from the civilian arena and presented in literary heavy fiction stories where creativeness is a major part of the account. In China Maze, the account itself out weighs the element of creativeness and is more rewarding in the end. If one choses to believe the authors account, then he/she will gain a valuable insight at many levels.

Mr. Gardella book, China Maze is not only an account of events that need to be revieled to the public regarding what happend to him, but happens to double nicely as a coming of age account. The book is fast paced start to finish. It is not weighted down with excess literary language. Therefore it is accessable to readers at most levels, if not all. It is a coming of age account that is rooted in a military setting. As such, it opens a door into an alternative form of coming of age setting. Typically, coming of age stories are from the civilian arena and presented in literary heavy fiction stories where creativeness is a major part of the account. In China Maze, the account itself out weighs the element of creativeness and is more rewarding in the end. If one choses to believe the authors account, then he/she will gain a valuable insight at many levels.

I just finished 'China Maze' after one sitting. Entirely believable. The time period from then to when he wrote it was one of unbelievable duplicity perpetrated by those in secret power, ie CIA etc. It is a testament to awaken us to the fact that the military power brokers be held accountable on all levels, and not allow ever again the excuses they use such as "for the sake of national security, we must withold that information or source thereof". Also, the practice of sanitizing documents must be revoked, for that is another way of witholding the terrible truths they want to keep hidden.

I enjoyed this book very much. The proluge is shocking, and reveals how decievable our government can be... since, this is a true story. Everyone should read this book, so they could hear of how several American Marines died in China for reasons that could have been avoided.

After having read Medland's "Point of Honor", I knew I had found a good one. "China Star" was even better. Ten pages fom the end and I'm thinking, "How's he gonna get out of this one?" The only down side to Medland's work is that there are only two books and I've read them both . . .

Here's hoping that Matt Connor continues.

U.S. Navy Veteran Maurice Medland presents China Star, a thrilling novel of international intrigue and power struggles. When Elizabeth Grayson, the half-Chinese daughter of a U.S. senator, learns that she has unknowingly aided the construction of a horrific new weapons system while doing medical research in China, she is sent to a forced labor camp to compel her silence. Matt Connor, an ex-submarine officer in disgrace, has been hired by Elizabeth's wealthy father to rescue her. Elizabeth and Matt have diametrically opposed personal philosophies, but they must work together in a ruthless game of survival. A tense and riveting adventure from cover to cover.

It is always a pleasure to read a well written, fast paced, adventure story that does not defy the laws of physics, chemistry and logic. Medland writes serious adventure fiction, not adventure fantasy.

The story turns on a high energy laser weapon developed by the Chinese. Believable seamanship, and well described naval tactics makes his story come alive.

The characters are well drawn, and the story grabs you on the first page and keeps you turning the pages to the end. His descriptions of Chinese locations are very well done. I have been to some of them, however. I didn't stay in a "laogai." I don't need to lose weight--my wife doesn't agree--however, "laogais" appear to be very effective "fat farms." I understand no reservations are required.

I hope the protagonist, Matt Connor, will enthrall us with more adventures. I plan to read Medland's first novel, Point of Honor.

This book was phenomenal. I could not put it down!! The characters were really put through the ringer in this one.....very exciting twists and turns. I look forward to reading many more books from this author in the future.

This is an excellent book with very good plots, sub plots for a fairly new author. Fast moving with lots of action. Very good mystery and not with a lot of lurid sex as is usual in todays books. This author is one that will produce many more books in the future that will be a welcome addition to the world literary stock.

For an academic book, "China's Leaders" is very readable; this non-academic enjoyed it on a long plane ride and left the jet feeling like some long-standing questions about China had been answered. It's one of those super-well-organized books so it's easy to skip around and find the stuff you dig: broad-based surveys, focused case studies, whatever.

AND at this point the book is recent enough to be relevant but old enough for Cheng Li to have made some predictions (note: very guarded academic predictions, of course) that have actually been borne out in the several years since publication. That, and his tone and scope, give the whole book a cagey credibility that's refreshing, especially with so many other authors running around making! crazy! predictions! about the next superpower.

Cheng Li does an outstanding job of uncovering the relationships that propel many of China's leaders. Excellent piece of scholarship and the best book I have run across dealing with elite Chinese politics. This is a must read for any person interested in China.

I just finished reading this book, and it is truly a first rate piece of China scholarship. It is a must read book for anyone trying to understand the leadership transition currently underway in Beijing. The book is very well written, and very readable. It also is clearly based upon first rate research and analysis. The entire new generation of leadership is discussed, plus more in depth discussions of Hu Jintao, Zeng Qinghong, and Wen Jiabao. Any journalist wanting to understand Chinese politics needs to read this book.

Taking the old "kremlinology" approach to figuring out Chinese politics, this book organizes each leader's factional affiliation by education, geographic location (the "Shanghai clique", etc.) and others. This approach has always been usable only as a general guide to leadership behavior, but it's all we've got. This book does it as well as any other, but a reader should know that it's not written in a narrative style, but rather in a reference format. Highly useful.

Cheng Li has written a first-rate book on the next generation of Chinese leaders: what backgrounds they are likely to have, where they went to school, what types of qualifications they are likely to have, etc. etc. While much of the first half of the book is a rather dry academic look at educational backgrounds and statistical analysis thereof, the real meat of the book is the chapter on the key roles of mishu or secretary (chief-of-staff is a better translation) and taizi or cadre kids. It is here that Li is able to really shed some light on the nature of the Chinese style of leadership grooming and promition. Drawing on CHinese language sources increasingly available from publishing houses such as mirrorbooks.com in Hong Kong, Li does a superb job of looking closesly at the careers of Zeng Qinghong and Wen Jiabao, two leaders likely to advance at the next Party Congress in 2002. Extensive use of data tables on so-called 4th generation leaders makes the book very data rich...a must read for those wanting to analyze China's leadership in the run up to the major changes likely at the next Party Congres....