Superficial arguments inclined towards China.

Felt that the author made China look like a saint as opposed to USA. It didnt felt like a centrist view (slightly inclined towards China) as it should have. One such example coming to mind is the 137 million Chinese traveling and coming back. this is nearly 7-8% of the population.... this doesn't represent all classes in China, just the upper-middle class and upwards

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Rather one-sided!

This book contains some interesting information and facts.

However a large part of the book was spent critiquing the United States of America. Had the author done the same for China I would have viewed this as a more honest assessment of the situation. The author’s fawning of the Chinese communist party and Chinese success just left me wondering what his real motives were?

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7 people found this helpful

Incredibly well written and narrated.

Highly recommended read. A different story to what is peddled In mainstream media where true journalism has clearly died, this picks up. Fantastic

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An East Asian perspective on this contest

He is not an evolutionary psychologist but has written like he is one. A dominant tribe (USA) is being challenged by an up and coming tribe (China) for the title. He describes the moves the USA are making that are wise if they want to remain the champ, and what they are doing to lose the match. He does the same with China. I found his description of the lack of understanding in the West that their way to govern may be best for them but is not the best for East Asia and other parts of the world quite insightful and correct. It is one of the big mistakes the USA is making in not understanding how the Chinese form of government that the USA perceive as so evil, has lifted hundreds of millions out of poverty and given China the ability to no longer be pushed around as they were during what they call their century of humiliation by foreign powers. Tribal ego on the part of both of these nations gets in the way of greater cooperation and prosperity for both; Mahbubani does an excellent job of showing that with numerous examples throughout the book. If one is interested in the tribal contest between China and the USA, what motivates both, strategies they should follow to win it,and whats in it for the rest of the world, I'd recommend you read this analysis. His perspective may be uncomfortable for some Westerners, certainly for Americans it will be, but are you looking for comfort or clarity? This book is well researched and informative, but reads quite smoothly. Mahbubani clearly has a handle on what motivates the Chinese better than other books on the subject I have read by Westerners. Lee Kuan Yew had countless conversations with Chinese leaders during their economic rise because they saw Lee as a mentor. Lee was an expert on what motivates China due to these relationships. Lee was also a mentor to Mahbubani and obviously shared his knowledge about Chinese aims with him. This book is informative because most books on this subject give us the Western perspective, this is a refreshing departure that is bringing balance to the conversation.

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11 people found this helpful

Changing world order

We are living in fascinating times, as one power over takes another. The manner in which the US is taking this handover is ugly and off-putting, and the optimism by the rise of china is well high lighted in this book. In mainstream media we are told to fear this.

Very fact based and just very interesting insights into geopolitics and interpretations of events from different sides.

Would recommend to anyone who doesn't know much about China but are interested in geopolitics.

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1 person found this helpful

Great book about the great and awesome China

Best book on what China really is and very well balanced. A pleasure to read and something all journalists should read instead of following the 5 eyes narrative and what their puppets push out.

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Bias & Inaccurate Pro-CCP

Hugely bias and uses plenty of false statements as if they are facts and evidence. There are a lot of counter arguments that any half-decent diplomat or academic could address to take apart Mahbubani’s thesis. Unbalanced towards China eg. Claims it’s passive and peaceful, not aggressive in S.China’s sea, that’s US fault, China doesn’t invade other countries or interfere (all proven false). Too much cherry picking of what other scholars have said. But it does challenge your thinking and provoke you. There are a few areas I agree. I did enjoy listening to it and I encourage you to listen to it with an open-mind, critical thought, question is it true?

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Nieve and preaching

Vague liberal swipe at Western civilisation so,popular in 2nd rate intellectuals filled with thinly veiled resentment of US, UK and Europe

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3 people found this helpful

very insightful view of both China and US

I think it is an insightful book that made me think. perhaps it is a little biased towards China as but is hard to see in Trump years how not to think otherwise.

I'm not sure about trying to equate some things he does but certainly is a very well put together arguement as to why US doesn't really understand it handle China well.

also on how China is run, very interesting and a far cry from current political landscape in us and West.

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An excellent book.

A fantastic and detailed overview of the difficulties faced by the West in terms of understanding China.

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1 person found this helpful