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Cool War: The Future of Global Competition
A bold and thought-provoking look at the future of U.S.-China relations, and how their coming power struggle will reshape the competitive playing field for nations around the world
The Cold War seemingly ended in a decisive victory for the West. But now, Noah Feldman argues, we are entering an era of renewed global struggle: the era of Cool War. Just as the Cold War matched the planet’s reigning superpowers in a contest for geopolitical supremacy, so this new age will pit the United States against a rising China in a contest for dominance, alliances, and resources. Already visible in Asia, the conflict will extend to the Middle East (U.S.-backed Israel versus Chinese-backed Iran), Africa, and beyond.
Yet this Cool War differs fundamentally from the zero-sum showdowns of the past: The world’s major power and its leading challenger are economically interdependent to an unprecedented degree. Exports to the U.S. account for nearly a quarter of Chinese trade, while the Chinese government holds 8 percent of America’s outstanding debt. This positive-sum interdependence has profound implications for nations, corporations, and international institutions. It makes what looked to be a classic contest between two great powers into something much more complex, contradictory, and badly in need of the shrewd and carefully reasoned analysis that Feldman provides.
To understand the looming competition with China, we must understand the incentives that drive Chinese policy. Feldman offers an arresting take on that country’s secretive hierarchy, proposing that the hereditary “princelings” who reap the benefits of the complicated Chinese political system are actually in partnership with the meritocrats who keep the system full of fresh talent and the reformers who are trying to root out corruption and foster government accountability. He provides a clear-eyed analysis of the years ahead, showing how China’s rise presents opportunities as well as risks. Robust competition could make the U.S. leaner, smarter, and more pragmatic, and could drive China to greater respect for human rights. Alternatively, disputes over trade, territory, or human rights could jeopardize the global economic equilibrium—or provoke a catastrophic “hot war” that neither country wants.
The U.S. and China may be divided by political culture and belief, but they are also bound together by mutual self-interest. Cool War makes the case for competitive cooperation as the only way forward that can preserve the peace and make winners out of both sides.
Praise for Cool War
“A timely book . . . sharp, logical and cool.” — The Economist
“Noah Feldman’s dissection of the United States–China relationship is smart, balanced, and wise.” —Robert D. Kaplan, New York Times bestselling author of The Revenge of Geography
“Compelling . . . Feldman’s book carries enough insight to warrant serious attention from anyone interested in what may well be the defining relationship in global affairs for decades to come.” — Kirkus Reviews
“A worthwhile and intriguing read.” —The Washington Post
“Masterfully elucidates China’s non-democratic/non-communist new form of government.” — Publishers Weekly
The Cold War seemingly ended in a decisive victory for the West. But now, Noah Feldman argues, we are entering an era of renewed global struggle: the era of Cool War. Just as the Cold War matched the planet’s reigning superpowers in a contest for geopolitical supremacy, so this new age will pit the United States against a rising China in a contest for dominance, alliances, and resources. Already visible in Asia, the conflict will extend to the Middle East (U.S.-backed Israel versus Chinese-backed Iran), Africa, and beyond.
Yet this Cool War differs fundamentally from the zero-sum showdowns of the past: The world’s major power and its leading challenger are economically interdependent to an unprecedented degree. Exports to the U.S. account for nearly a quarter of Chinese trade, while the Chinese government holds 8 percent of America’s outstanding debt. This positive-sum interdependence has profound implications for nations, corporations, and international institutions. It makes what looked to be a classic contest between two great powers into something much more complex, contradictory, and badly in need of the shrewd and carefully reasoned analysis that Feldman provides.
To understand the looming competition with China, we must understand the incentives that drive Chinese policy. Feldman offers an arresting take on that country’s secretive hierarchy, proposing that the hereditary “princelings” who reap the benefits of the complicated Chinese political system are actually in partnership with the meritocrats who keep the system full of fresh talent and the reformers who are trying to root out corruption and foster government accountability. He provides a clear-eyed analysis of the years ahead, showing how China’s rise presents opportunities as well as risks. Robust competition could make the U.S. leaner, smarter, and more pragmatic, and could drive China to greater respect for human rights. Alternatively, disputes over trade, territory, or human rights could jeopardize the global economic equilibrium—or provoke a catastrophic “hot war” that neither country wants.
The U.S. and China may be divided by political culture and belief, but they are also bound together by mutual self-interest. Cool War makes the case for competitive cooperation as the only way forward that can preserve the peace and make winners out of both sides.
Praise for Cool War
“A timely book . . . sharp, logical and cool.” — The Economist
“Noah Feldman’s dissection of the United States–China relationship is smart, balanced, and wise.” —Robert D. Kaplan, New York Times bestselling author of The Revenge of Geography
“Compelling . . . Feldman’s book carries enough insight to warrant serious attention from anyone interested in what may well be the defining relationship in global affairs for decades to come.” — Kirkus Reviews
“A worthwhile and intriguing read.” —The Washington Post
“Masterfully elucidates China’s non-democratic/non-communist new form of government.” — Publishers Weekly
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First published January 1, 2013
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About the author
Noah Feldman
30 books206 followersNoah Feldman is an American author and professor of law at Harvard Law School.
Feldman grew up in Boston, Massachusetts, where he attended the Maimonides School. He graduated from Harvard College in 1992, ranked first in the College, and earned a Rhodes Scholarship to Oxford University, where he earned a D.Phil in Islamic Thought in 1994. Upon his return from Oxford, he received his J.D., in 1997, from Yale Law School, where he was the book review editor of the Yale Law Journal. He later served as a law clerk for Associate Justice David Souter on the U.S. Supreme Court.
In 2001, he joined the faculty of New York University Law School (NYU), leaving for Harvard in 2007. In 2008, he was appointed the Bemis Professor of International Law. He worked as an advisor in the early days of the Coalition Provisional Authority in Iraq following the 2003 invasion of the country. He regularly contributes features and opinion pieces to The New York Times Magazine and is a senior adjunct fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations.
Feldman grew up in Boston, Massachusetts, where he attended the Maimonides School. He graduated from Harvard College in 1992, ranked first in the College, and earned a Rhodes Scholarship to Oxford University, where he earned a D.Phil in Islamic Thought in 1994. Upon his return from Oxford, he received his J.D., in 1997, from Yale Law School, where he was the book review editor of the Yale Law Journal. He later served as a law clerk for Associate Justice David Souter on the U.S. Supreme Court.
In 2001, he joined the faculty of New York University Law School (NYU), leaving for Harvard in 2007. In 2008, he was appointed the Bemis Professor of International Law. He worked as an advisor in the early days of the Coalition Provisional Authority in Iraq following the 2003 invasion of the country. He regularly contributes features and opinion pieces to The New York Times Magazine and is a senior adjunct fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations.
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October 24, 2016
العالم الذي نعيش فيه هذه الايام هو باحة للصراع اقتصادي و حرب مصالح بالمقام الاول..
كل اللاعبين السياسين فيه يتحدثون بسماحة سيدنا المسيح و يتصرفون بعدها كميكافيللي ...
الصين ذلك النظام السياسي المركب الذي يجمع بين السوق الحر مع تدخل الدولة عند الحاجة
مع قيادة شيوعية سلسة تتنازل عن مبادئ الشيوعية لخدمة مصالحها حين الحاجة و لا نخطأ اذا قلنا انه تنازلت عن الشيوعية كايدلوجيا
و سلطة استبدادية تحافظ على استقرار النظام السياسي ..
و رغم تغير الوجوه المسيطرة الا ان النظام ككتلة صلبة و دولة خفية مستمر داخل الحزب الشيوعي الحاكم الذي يتحكم باطراف الدولة و يصرفها كيفما يشاء....
يحاول هذا الكتاب اعطاء نظرة داخل الصين كدولة صاحبة توجهات اقليمية
و علاقتها بالولايات المتحدة
الاطروحة الذي يحاول الدكنور نوح فليدمان تقديمها
ان امريكا و الصين هم خصمان لكن يساهمان بازدهار بعضهما الاخر و اقتصاد كلتا الدولتين يعتمد على بعضهما بشكل متبادل..
و ان نتيجة الترابط الاقتصادي المخيف هذا سوف يقلل من نسبة حدوث حرب حقيقة او حرب باردة خصوصا ان الصين لا تمتلك اي احلام استعمارية او ايدلوجيا كالايدلوجيا السوفيتية تقدمها ...
انما هي حرب هادئة تقوم على حروب بالوكالة و توسيع مناطق النفوذ و المساهمة في تحريك الشركات متعددة الجنسيات كشركات الانتنرنت او النفط لتأثر بصناعة القرار السياسي على مستوى الدولتين و مناطق الصراع لا تنتهي و مناطق التأثير مفتوحة على مصرعيها
بشكل عام نستطيع ان نقول ان زمن نفوذ الدولة القطب انتهى
الان نحن في زمن الاذكى في تكوين العلاقات الاقتصادية و كسب اكبر قطعة من الكعكة
كعرب و مسلمين نحن نقرا عنهم ماذا يفعلون او نشاهدهم و نطلب كأس شاي بالنعنع للتسلية و اذا لم نمت بعد كل هذا نصفق و نعبد الاقوى!!!
....الله المستعان
دراسة تحليلية جيدة
كل اللاعبين السياسين فيه يتحدثون بسماحة سيدنا المسيح و يتصرفون بعدها كميكافيللي ...
الصين ذلك النظام السياسي المركب الذي يجمع بين السوق الحر مع تدخل الدولة عند الحاجة
مع قيادة شيوعية سلسة تتنازل عن مبادئ الشيوعية لخدمة مصالحها حين الحاجة و لا نخطأ اذا قلنا انه تنازلت عن الشيوعية كايدلوجيا
و سلطة استبدادية تحافظ على استقرار النظام السياسي ..
و رغم تغير الوجوه المسيطرة الا ان النظام ككتلة صلبة و دولة خفية مستمر داخل الحزب الشيوعي الحاكم الذي يتحكم باطراف الدولة و يصرفها كيفما يشاء....
يحاول هذا الكتاب اعطاء نظرة داخل الصين كدولة صاحبة توجهات اقليمية
و علاقتها بالولايات المتحدة
الاطروحة الذي يحاول الدكنور نوح فليدمان تقديمها
ان امريكا و الصين هم خصمان لكن يساهمان بازدهار بعضهما الاخر و اقتصاد كلتا الدولتين يعتمد على بعضهما بشكل متبادل..
و ان نتيجة الترابط الاقتصادي المخيف هذا سوف يقلل من نسبة حدوث حرب حقيقة او حرب باردة خصوصا ان الصين لا تمتلك اي احلام استعمارية او ايدلوجيا كالايدلوجيا السوفيتية تقدمها ...
انما هي حرب هادئة تقوم على حروب بالوكالة و توسيع مناطق النفوذ و المساهمة في تحريك الشركات متعددة الجنسيات كشركات الانتنرنت او النفط لتأثر بصناعة القرار السياسي على مستوى الدولتين و مناطق الصراع لا تنتهي و مناطق التأثير مفتوحة على مصرعيها
بشكل عام نستطيع ان نقول ان زمن نفوذ الدولة القطب انتهى
الان نحن في زمن الاذكى في تكوين العلاقات الاقتصادية و كسب اكبر قطعة من الكعكة
كعرب و مسلمين نحن نقرا عنهم ماذا يفعلون او نشاهدهم و نطلب كأس شاي بالنعنع للتسلية و اذا لم نمت بعد كل هذا نصفق و نعبد الاقوى!!!
....الله المستعان
دراسة تحليلية جيدة
May 19, 2015
This book is worth reading. It is what the doctor just ordered because nowadays, the relationship between China and my country has never been good for one reason: China has been laying claim to the Spratly Islands , apparently located in our territory based on the international law. However, nowadays, China has been obstinate and aggressive. They are now building a military base on one of the islets despite the fact that the Philippines has submitted its complaints to the international tribunals. Our government has even had diplomatic discourses with its government many times. Why China’s attitude toward us is like this? Upon reading this, my self-analyses have been proven right: China’s economy is rising and China wants to expand its geostrategy.
COOL WAR, for Noal Feldman, means two countries are economically interdependent, but tend to be at odd against each other when it comes to geostrategy. The words are far different from COLD WAR when two countries have aggressive competition for building nuclear plants.
N.Feldman emphasized the probable risks China could pose to the world, particularly to the USA when its economy has been symmetrical with the USA. In other words, China still does not have the ability to declare a war against the USA in the event of misunderstanding since surprisingly, the USA has a considerable amount of debt to China.By the same token, China still cannot brag its economy NOW because losing America could paralyze its economy. Therefore, both depend on each other. To put it mildly, Feldman emphasized that a big economy has been proven to be the best key to becoming a super power. However, no matter what underlying reasons that restraint both of them, paradoxically, each of them avoids waging a war.
Enough said! I am almost a spoiler now. You should read it. The book deals with Feldman’s analyses of the origin of cool war, especially his anatomical dissection of China’s economic values.
No matter how detailed the book is , it is apparent in my humble opinion that China still has hidden DESIRE to be a super power. Gee, Feldman’s analyses could be the auguries. This is how complicated our world is. So, reading such genre is an eye-opener.
COOL WAR, for Noal Feldman, means two countries are economically interdependent, but tend to be at odd against each other when it comes to geostrategy. The words are far different from COLD WAR when two countries have aggressive competition for building nuclear plants.
N.Feldman emphasized the probable risks China could pose to the world, particularly to the USA when its economy has been symmetrical with the USA. In other words, China still does not have the ability to declare a war against the USA in the event of misunderstanding since surprisingly, the USA has a considerable amount of debt to China.By the same token, China still cannot brag its economy NOW because losing America could paralyze its economy. Therefore, both depend on each other. To put it mildly, Feldman emphasized that a big economy has been proven to be the best key to becoming a super power. However, no matter what underlying reasons that restraint both of them, paradoxically, each of them avoids waging a war.
Enough said! I am almost a spoiler now. You should read it. The book deals with Feldman’s analyses of the origin of cool war, especially his anatomical dissection of China’s economic values.
No matter how detailed the book is , it is apparent in my humble opinion that China still has hidden DESIRE to be a super power. Gee, Feldman’s analyses could be the auguries. This is how complicated our world is. So, reading such genre is an eye-opener.
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January 20, 2020#الحرب_الهادئة لكاتبه #نوح_فلدمان ، و الذي يتكلم فيه عن صراع جديد قديم بين قوتين تكاد تتشابهان من حيث القوة الاقتصادية يل ان تسلق الصين الى قمة الريادة الاقتصادية للعالم تكاد تكون بارزة للعيان ، لكن قوة الولايات المتحدة سيطرتها شبه الكلية على العالم عبر عدة طرق كتحالفات و عقد اتفاقيات اقتصادية او امني كما هو الحال مع اليابان و كوريا الجنوبية ، ذلك جعل الصين تهدد مصالح الو م أ ، مما جعل التنافس الجيواستراتيجي بينهما يكاد يكون بارزا ، لكن عمق العلاقات الاقتصادية بين البلدين و قوتها جعل التنافس بلون باهت ، ذلك ان مصلحة الطرفين الاقتصادية اقوى من اي صراع سياسي بينهم ، فمثلا ربع مداخيل صادرات الصين تحصلها مما تجنيه من تجارتها مع الو م أ ، اما الو م أ فان اكبر مشتر لدينها بشكل سندات مالية هي الصين ، الامر الذي جعل العلاقة بينهما كما سماها الكاتب في شكل حرب هادئة ، عكس ما كان ايام الحرب الباردة التي كان فيها التنافر بين الو م أ و الاتحاد السوفياتي في قمته فلم يكن بينهما اي معاملات الا ما ندر منها ، لكن الكاتب يرجح ان من بين اهم اسباب نشوب صراع جدي يكمن في الخلاف حول تايوان التي تريد الصين ضمها بينما تربط الاخيرة علاقات امنية و اقتصادية مع الو م أ الامر الذي يجعل الصراع يبرز للواجهة احيانا كما ان الخلاف في بحر الصين بين اليابان و الصين و كوريا ج ، و حتى صراع الاخيرة مع شقيقتها الشمالية كلها مسائل امنية تدعوا الى مراجعة الكثير من القرارات قبل اتخاذها ، ثم ينوجه الكاتب الى الداخل الصيني و علاقة الحزب الشيوعي الحاكم و هيمنته هلى السلطة بنوع من السلطوية التي تجعل مكنته هشة لولا ما يحققه من نمو اقتصادي ، و انفتاحه على بعض الحريات و النقد ، كما ان محاربة الفساد كانت من اهم دعامات مرسخة للحرب . يتشعب الكاتب كثيرا في الحالة الفريدة لنظام الصين الحاكم بقبضة قوية للحرب الشيوعي و تفرده في موازنة كل اوضاعه داخل البلاد و خارجها ..... لن استمر في تقديم الباقي ، الكتاب مشوق و يفتح عينيك على الكثير مما كنا نجهل ، غير انه يغفل الدور الكبير لروسيا اليوم في هندسة الخريطة الجيواستراتيجية للعالم ، ربما لما يراه من مستقبل مشرق للصين اكبر منه لروسيا .
February 27, 2019
Brief but amazing insight into USA vs China geopolitical history. Reads easily and is fascinating!
August 4, 2020
While much of the first part of this book is somewhat outdated because of its focus on US-China diplomacy in an age before Trump, the rest has plenty to offer. Feldman's central thesis - that economic interdependence can be leveraged to help manage real political conflict, particularly between the US and China - may be somewhat basic, but the clarity of writing, interesting case studies, and exploration of wide-ranging ramifications make up for it. I was particularly intrigued by his argument that China makes up for a lack a democracy by promoting governmental responsiveness, accountability, and meritocracy instead, as well as his suggestion that the WTO and other trade-based treaties are an effective way to pursue human rights. It's an old playbook in other realms, but still worth revisiting.
October 3, 2022
لذيذ وعظيم جدًا، يعرض فيه نوح فيلدمان أصول علاقات أمريكا والصين وتاريخها، ونظام حكم الصين، وسعيها في الأرض إلى أن تكون القوة العظمى وحدها أو تماثل الولايات المتحدة في قوتها، ومحاولة أمريكا منعها من ذلك، وقضية تايوان وهونغ كونغ والمحيط الهادئ، والتحالفات الدولية، وقضية التنافس الاقتصادي والعسكري فيما بينهما، وقضية حقوق الإنسان الذي تستعملها أمريكا وأوروبا لإدانة الصين وقضية منظمة التجارة العالمية ومحكمة الجنائية، وغير ذلك.
أرشح الكتاب لمن أراد أن يفقه القضايا السياسية والعالمية المعاصرة.
أرشح الكتاب لمن أراد أن يفقه القضايا السياسية والعالمية المعاصرة.
July 5, 2024
يحكي الكتاب بشكل عام عن أمريكا والصين، علاقاتهم الاقتصادية، واختلاف أنماط الحكم، وإمكانية تحول الصين إلى قوة عالمية ثانية.
كما يحكي عن عدم احترام الصين لحقوق الإنسان، وفي الحقيقة هذا هو الجزء الذي لم أستسغه من الكتاب فكيف وبأي حق يقول الامريكيون أنهم مع حقوق الإنسان بكل بجاحة هكذا وهم يدعمون علنا إسرائيل التي قامت بمجازر ضخمة وقتلت أكثر من ٣٠ ألف فلسطيني؟
بعد كل هذا يتكلمون عن أن الصين تحتاج إلى احترام حقوق إنسان وهذا مما أثار استهجاني كثيرا.
تقييمي لكتاب الحرب الهادئة ٧ من ١٠
كما يحكي عن عدم احترام الصين لحقوق الإنسان، وفي الحقيقة هذا هو الجزء الذي لم أستسغه من الكتاب فكيف وبأي حق يقول الامريكيون أنهم مع حقوق الإنسان بكل بجاحة هكذا وهم يدعمون علنا إسرائيل التي قامت بمجازر ضخمة وقتلت أكثر من ٣٠ ألف فلسطيني؟
بعد كل هذا يتكلمون عن أن الصين تحتاج إلى احترام حقوق إنسان وهذا مما أثار استهجاني كثيرا.
تقييمي لكتاب الحرب الهادئة ٧ من ١٠
June 10, 2017
Thought provoking analysis of the US and China relationship. Dense enough to need chewing on between chapters in order to consider Feldman's words in today's different and less stable political environment. A must read for anyone who wants to better understand world political-economic historical and current relationships.
March 25, 2025
Interesting analysis of US Sino relationship, but dated even if insightful….
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November 23, 20254.2 for the first half of the book
January 15, 2020
An excellent primer on the US-Chinese relationship from the end of the Cold War through the first term of the Obama Administration. Written in an academic tone — with a pseudo historical perspective — on the current state of affairs which, although outdated today (given it was punished in 2013), provides an overview of the relationship’s driving dynamics. And a well cited text had me writing down follow-on books and papers that more thoroughly explored these concepts. A brutalist — yet supportive — view of democracy in conjunction with a pragmatic take on the Chinese Communist Party challenged many of my assumptions about the differences in governance between the East and West.
June 29, 2020
As Napoleon Bonaparte once said, "China is a sleeping giant. Let her sleep, for when she wakes she will move the world"; while his focus was likely on their military potential, the 21st-century China has become more of an economic giant...and it has definitely awakened. 'Cool War' explores China's global socioeconomic impacts, its political blend of Communism/capitalism, and how its growing strength puts it on track to usurp America's solitary reign as the global superpower; it compares their rise with American interests, compares/contrasts how these interests unfold in the worldwide stage, and future safeguards that the United States would be wise to consider.
April 27, 2015
Hmm, I did not pick up any kind of People's Republic of China v. United States of America rivalry on my big trip there the July of the year this book was published. I heard people say that my trip was a diplomatic envoy to share culture and knowledge between the two. Maybe that's why people liked when I spoke so highly of the experience at the farewell dinner? I was just taking the chance to practise oratory.
All I read when there in the Xinhua newspaper was about the Xinjiang province Uyghurs. (Guizhou University is significantly south of that region. Oh! A gale just hit that specific region! How about that.)
The whole gist of Feldman's book is that the great us versus them war of the world has changed into China against the United States, as of 2013, since the United States supports Israel and China supports Iran. I think that's a vast simplification disregarding the ethnic strife within all of these countries.
He concludes that we need each other, so that's why it's only a cool war.
Maybe at the time I was too distracted trying to learn how to play Chinese chess to pay attention to the actual politics playing out before my eyes. But, you see, it's different...
All I read when there in the Xinhua newspaper was about the Xinjiang province Uyghurs. (Guizhou University is significantly south of that region. Oh! A gale just hit that specific region! How about that.)
The whole gist of Feldman's book is that the great us versus them war of the world has changed into China against the United States, as of 2013, since the United States supports Israel and China supports Iran. I think that's a vast simplification disregarding the ethnic strife within all of these countries.
He concludes that we need each other, so that's why it's only a cool war.
Maybe at the time I was too distracted trying to learn how to play Chinese chess to pay attention to the actual politics playing out before my eyes. But, you see, it's different...
June 21, 2013
If you can ignore the nonsensical title (I can't. Cool War?! Shouldn't that exist somewhere between a Hot and Cold War? Which would imply our relationship with China is worse, or at least closer to open conflict, than it was with the USSR?! Never mind....) there's some good stuff here. The second part, which discusses the elaborate and opaque power structure in China, is particularly interesting. Feldman's anecdotes to illustrate his ideas are by far the most engaging. Otherwise, his writing style is pretty dry. Perhaps the biggest shortcoming of this book is that very little is surprising. Of course the US is acting in its own interests. Of course they'll use Human Rights when it suits their agenda and ignore it otherwise. Of course this is a complicated and nuanced relationship, and (most damning of all) of course we don't know how this is going to play out. I read this book because I wanted a more informed opinion on US-China relations, and in that respect I got what I wanted, but unless a friend has the same curiosity, it's not a book I'll be recommending.
March 3, 2014
Another piece of the puzzle. Initially, I was confused as to why a professor of international law was writing about international relations between the USA & China, as IR is a bit "around the corner" from academic international law (imagine the difference between a book on computer programming [law] versus a book about video games [international relations]). And while Professor Feldman admits to being an IR realist quite far into the book, this is not an realist-driven normative screed, or a realist explanation of events. Rather, it's a nuanced and thoughtful investigation of US-China relations, which involve military/political competition coupled with economic cooperation/interdependency. Only brief forays into internationl law, including the insight that international trade law and the WTO system is a good example of states abiding by treaties and int'l law in general, even when the system finds them at fault. If you're on the fence about whether to read the book, start here: http://youtu.be/rKXIXUdWe8g
August 24, 2013
"Cool War" posits that contrary to many pundits belief, the United States and China are not really on a inevitable course of war or an antagonistic economic relationship and instead that our futures are that of continued economic interdependence. While I lack the overall understanding of economics to offer a critique of the theory I will say that Noah Feldman presents his case in a way that makes in certainly pausible. My review suffers from the fact that I listened to the audio version of this book and some of the concepts were tough to digest in spoken form
June 30, 2013
I actually found it quite an interesting book. Living in the city state of Singapore, I can see our government trying to keep a balanced approach between the two countries. Singapore does lots of business with both, but strategically is aligned with the US. Our government is also supposed to have been teaching generations of Chinese leaders how to run their country... Interesting read for people who are affected by relationship between the two countries.
June 17, 2013
This book has little to contribute to the analysis of US-Chinese relations. It is essentially a rehash of what others have said before. Its primary value is for the middle-to-low-brow audience that haven't been following the issues. Its value is that it is a short, easy read without too much diplomatic jargon, and would be educational for a clueless undergraduate.
August 19, 2013
While someone the ideas are increasing this book does not contribute much to the overall topic. Those familiar with the reality of the Chinese-American relationship will have previous exposure to the ideas brought up. Additionally the book's organization made the overall quality weaker.
September 27, 2013
This examination of the relationship between China and the United States contains some good information about the Chinese system of government, and thought-provoking analysis of the Chinese leadership's strategy regarding its place in the world.
October 15, 2013
And interesting take on the U.S.-China rivalry in the years to come.
December 17, 2013
Part one is the only part worth reading
September 20, 2014
Eh. Sometimes fascinating.
March 1, 2017
Very nice book about future wars/conflicts and Technology.
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