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| China Shakes the World: A Titan's Rise and Troubled Future -- and the Challenge for America | 
| Author: James Kynge
Publisher: Mariner Books
Category: Book
List Price: $14.95
Buy New: $5.47
You Save: $9.48 (63%)
New (38) from $5.47
Avg. Customer Rating:  43 reviews
Sales Rank: 13595
Media: Paperback
Edition: 1
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 288
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.7
Dimensions (in): 8.2 x 5.4 x 0.8
ISBN: 0618919066
Dewey Decimal Number: 330.951
EAN: 9780618919062
ASIN: 0618919066
Publication Date: October 11, 2007
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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| Customer Reviews:
 A Troubled Future Indeed October 28, 2007
5 out of 5 found this review helpful
I was rather skeptical about this book at first; I thought perhaps it was a WHO MOVED MY (CHINESE) CHEESE? type of thing, but it's actually (and refreshingly) quite profound. First off, this is not a 'how to' book. Rather it is a sober (and sobering) examination of the modern-day Middle Kingdom's economic prospects and business practices. The author, former Financial Times bureau chief in Beijing (and 20-year resident of China), not only knows his stuff, but conveys that stuff in a manner that is both fluid and intelligent. Moreover, his analyses are amplified by well chosen statistics, keen observations, and compelling anecdotes that all serve to concretize his central tenet - that China certainly has great deal of potential, but that its inherent instability must be factored into the equation. This is a great choice for business people or anyone seeking to learn more about China and its future role.
Troy Parfitt, author
 It is shaking me up now October 16, 2007
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
I am Chinese, and of course I am attracted by the title. Finally, China get to shake the world a little too, what an accomplishment. Well, as I read the book, it is making me less and less proud of my motherland. The counterfeit product, the stealing of high-tech information, degradation of environment and the insitutionalized corruption are making my stomach turn. When 1/2 of the population is going at 80 miles an hour in the globalized world, the other half is being left behind by their own country. It makes me wonder, what will happen if the economy slow down in China? What will the people who had already tasted the fast world will do, and what will the ultra-dictatorship of the Ruling Communist party do, and what will the other half of the population that had been left behind do. This is a question worth pondering. Maybe, China is not as rosy as it projected to the rest of the world, and maybe people, or investors should listen to not just the official talking head, but what the people are doing. This is a good read, it will help with my school project too.
An enormous shift in geopolitical power October 8, 2007
7 out of 7 found this review helpful
James Kynge analyzes and illustrates brilliantly the emergence of China as a major geopolitical power. He shows that the drastic shift in economic policies under Deng came from rural farmers who used creatively the concept `collective' to found private capitalist companies. The result is now a schizophrenic one party communist State with a capitalist economy. Its social stability can only be maintained with fast economic growth and job creation for its enormous population created by Mao's demographic policy.
The actual industrialization process causes massive population and gender shifts (urbanization resulting in a higher status for women), colossal energy demands (one Italy every year) and huge environmental problems (water, air). In a one party State, corruption and nepotism (with stolen identities) cannot be eradicated and provoke a declining trust in government.
Economically, corporations are mainly concerned with market share, not profits. They continue to (over) produce for the next surge in demand after every dip. They are also beginning to build consumer loyalty by branding their own products.
Internationally, the Chinese voracity created energy and commodities price surges worldwide. The end is not in sight. On the other hand, the bulk of the profits made with China's low cost factory army (no welfare) goes into the pockets of Western retail giants and their shareholders, leaving only 10 to 15 % for their Chinese counterparts. In the meantime, the deindustrialization of the Western world continues with massive job losses in the textile, car, computer and even the service industry.
Overall, however, China's economic development continues to benefit enormously world trade, notwithstanding the regularly surfacing accusations of protectionism, currency manipulation and rampant piracy. Politically, the problem of Taiwan is still not solved.
Mencius''ren' (benevolence) is not a basic ingredient of Chinese foreign policy, but the author believes that ultimately pragmatism and flexibility will have the upper hand.
This book is a must read for all those who want to understand the world we live in.
MBA Mom July 15, 2007
4 out of 4 found this review helpful
I am full time Mom and just recently visited Beijing with my 2 young children and husband. As a result of our travels, all the news in the media regarding China, and my own personal experience with respect to my shopping purchase power and selection in the last many year, I was very interested in the "China story." This book is an easy read, and provides a good big picture. It reminds me of the center column in the Wall Street Journal... Too boot, well written, and excellent use of vocabulary.
Mom
Well written, informative book June 1, 2007
4 out of 4 found this review helpful
This book is money and time well spent if you're interested in a contemporary survey of China.
Kynge really does an outstanding job with a complex topic. He has a journalist's nose for a story, is well connected in China, and the length of time he lived in the country allows him to really portray his observations in a sophisticated cultural and historical context. He nicely weaves in statistics and facts throughout the book without distracting from the narrative.
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