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When China Attacks: A Warning to America
When China Attacks is a fire bell in the night—a warning about a war that we are already losing. It offers a frightening, and well-founded, blow-by-blow account of what might happen next.
China poses an existential threat to America, warns a veteran intelligence officer, and the window for an effective response is closing fast.
Col. Grant Newsham, a former reserve head of intelligence for Marine Forces Pacific, delivers a blow-by-blow account of how the threat has developed, from the growing skill and belligerence of the Chinese military to gray-zone campaigns to hollow out America’s will to resist. These efforts that have now reached fruition. You can see the war damage in Baltimore, Erie, Buffalo, and countless other communities across the United States.
With decades of experience in Asia, including as a U.S. Marine, a diplomat, and an executive with Morgan Stanley and Motorola in Japan, Col. Newsham brings together the military, political, economic and social to provide insights into how far along we already are, and what needs to be done. Now.
The question is not whether the Chinese will attack. They already have. It is trying to kill our economy, our institutions, our way of life, our people. It is dominant in the world economy. It is a master of intellectual property theft. It shows strategic genius at cornering essential markets. It has been staggeringly successful in buying influence among American elites. It is killing us with Fentanyl. And its military buildup is astonishing.
So far, China has been waging a mostly covert war on the United States and its allies. But, emboldened by American weakness and perceived decline, the war could soon explode into the open. The flashpoint will be Taiwan—but the war will extend over the entire Pacific Theater and beyond. The results—as Col. Newsham paints in stark detail—will be devastating. America risks a humiliating retreat, with almost unimaginable costs to our economy and security.
Will America fight back before the cold war that Communist China is waging against America and its allies goes hot?
The conflict is coming. We’re not ready. China is already attacking America. Is American defeat inevitable? No, but we must change course immediately. And to do that, we must wake up and heed the sobering message of When China Attacks.
China poses an existential threat to America, warns a veteran intelligence officer, and the window for an effective response is closing fast.
Col. Grant Newsham, a former reserve head of intelligence for Marine Forces Pacific, delivers a blow-by-blow account of how the threat has developed, from the growing skill and belligerence of the Chinese military to gray-zone campaigns to hollow out America’s will to resist. These efforts that have now reached fruition. You can see the war damage in Baltimore, Erie, Buffalo, and countless other communities across the United States.
With decades of experience in Asia, including as a U.S. Marine, a diplomat, and an executive with Morgan Stanley and Motorola in Japan, Col. Newsham brings together the military, political, economic and social to provide insights into how far along we already are, and what needs to be done. Now.
The question is not whether the Chinese will attack. They already have. It is trying to kill our economy, our institutions, our way of life, our people. It is dominant in the world economy. It is a master of intellectual property theft. It shows strategic genius at cornering essential markets. It has been staggeringly successful in buying influence among American elites. It is killing us with Fentanyl. And its military buildup is astonishing.
So far, China has been waging a mostly covert war on the United States and its allies. But, emboldened by American weakness and perceived decline, the war could soon explode into the open. The flashpoint will be Taiwan—but the war will extend over the entire Pacific Theater and beyond. The results—as Col. Newsham paints in stark detail—will be devastating. America risks a humiliating retreat, with almost unimaginable costs to our economy and security.
Will America fight back before the cold war that Communist China is waging against America and its allies goes hot?
The conflict is coming. We’re not ready. China is already attacking America. Is American defeat inevitable? No, but we must change course immediately. And to do that, we must wake up and heed the sobering message of When China Attacks.
436 pages, Hardcover
Published March 28, 2023
83 people are currently reading
153 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
June 8, 2023
Important Book on Foreign Policy
This is an exceptionally important book that delves into the realm of China's international relations and foreign policy. With meticulous research and impeccable writing, Newsham delivers a compelling narrative that sheds light on the urgent need for awareness and strategic action.
This book stands as a testament to Newsham's expertise and dedication to his subject matter. Newsham's writing style is engaging, making complex geopolitical issues accessible and compelling.
When China Attacks offers invaluable insight into the critical importance of defending Taiwan and the implications it carries for regional security and global dynamics. Newsham's analysis serves as a wake-up call, urging readers to recognize the gravity of the situation and prompting discussions on effective war mitigation strategies.
For anyone interested in international politics, foreign policy, and the complexities of navigating potential conflicts, this book is an absolute must-read.
The book's relevance, well-researched content, and eloquent writing make it an exceptional contribution to the field. Grant Newsham's work serves as a crucial reminder of the need for proactive measures and informed decision-making in the face of China's growing influence.
Prepare to be informed and challenged as you immerse yourself in the pages of When China Attacks. This book is a powerful call to action, inspiring readers to recognize the importance of informed engagement in international affairs and the need for strategic responses to safeguard global stability.
4.8/5
This is an exceptionally important book that delves into the realm of China's international relations and foreign policy. With meticulous research and impeccable writing, Newsham delivers a compelling narrative that sheds light on the urgent need for awareness and strategic action.
This book stands as a testament to Newsham's expertise and dedication to his subject matter. Newsham's writing style is engaging, making complex geopolitical issues accessible and compelling.
When China Attacks offers invaluable insight into the critical importance of defending Taiwan and the implications it carries for regional security and global dynamics. Newsham's analysis serves as a wake-up call, urging readers to recognize the gravity of the situation and prompting discussions on effective war mitigation strategies.
For anyone interested in international politics, foreign policy, and the complexities of navigating potential conflicts, this book is an absolute must-read.
The book's relevance, well-researched content, and eloquent writing make it an exceptional contribution to the field. Grant Newsham's work serves as a crucial reminder of the need for proactive measures and informed decision-making in the face of China's growing influence.
Prepare to be informed and challenged as you immerse yourself in the pages of When China Attacks. This book is a powerful call to action, inspiring readers to recognize the importance of informed engagement in international affairs and the need for strategic responses to safeguard global stability.
4.8/5
November 9, 2025
Great book. Every freedom-loving American needs to read it.
April 19, 2023
Concise examination of the Xi dominated CCP and the threat it poses to Western Democracy.
This book will not be well received by the Old China Hands, academics, and profiteers on Wall Street who turbo-charged this political Frankenstein Monster with direct foreign investment, sponsorship into the WTO, decades of turning a blind eye to intellectual theft/patent infringement, corporate espionage, human rights violations, concentration camps, forced organ harvesting and allowing China to infringe with impunity on international rights and norms - all in the name of pursuing China market share and greater corporate returns at the price of dismantling strategic U.S. industries and exporting middle-class American jobs.
China is at war with us. Those who continue to collaborate with the enemy must be held accountable within a fortnight of China’s decision to go kinetic.
Those China profiteers and apologists will be the first to deride this sensible book that provides strategies to effectively counter China’s Gray Zone/Total War efforts.
Our elite should take note of history - Communists do not share power. They will round up and execute the elite, academics and anyone who can organize…even fellow Communists. A Viet Cong Memoir, The Gulag Archipelago and The Black Book of Communism thoroughly cover this lesson.
Our academically seduced generation of young socialists and communists lack the historical context of the attendant misery Communism brings.
If we fail to thwart China’s efforts, we will learn of the deprivations first-hand.
These lessons are best learned from the pages of a book in the comfort of a public library or home where you are not afraid of a Communist boot kicking in your door for reading subversive materials.
This book will not be well received by the Old China Hands, academics, and profiteers on Wall Street who turbo-charged this political Frankenstein Monster with direct foreign investment, sponsorship into the WTO, decades of turning a blind eye to intellectual theft/patent infringement, corporate espionage, human rights violations, concentration camps, forced organ harvesting and allowing China to infringe with impunity on international rights and norms - all in the name of pursuing China market share and greater corporate returns at the price of dismantling strategic U.S. industries and exporting middle-class American jobs.
China is at war with us. Those who continue to collaborate with the enemy must be held accountable within a fortnight of China’s decision to go kinetic.
Those China profiteers and apologists will be the first to deride this sensible book that provides strategies to effectively counter China’s Gray Zone/Total War efforts.
Our elite should take note of history - Communists do not share power. They will round up and execute the elite, academics and anyone who can organize…even fellow Communists. A Viet Cong Memoir, The Gulag Archipelago and The Black Book of Communism thoroughly cover this lesson.
Our academically seduced generation of young socialists and communists lack the historical context of the attendant misery Communism brings.
If we fail to thwart China’s efforts, we will learn of the deprivations first-hand.
These lessons are best learned from the pages of a book in the comfort of a public library or home where you are not afraid of a Communist boot kicking in your door for reading subversive materials.
May 12, 2023
Very informative. It is a view from 35,000 feet. It is a look at the forest, but not every pine cone. Colonel Newshaw does a good job and hooked me at the start, but then there was a deviation from the kinetic attack on America to other kinds of warfare, which I appreciate and know of, but the book never came back to full circle. Being a veteran myself, the political strategies will never come about because of how deeply entrenched the U.S. government is with foreign entities . . . the VERY thing George Washington warned us about in his Farewell Address.
China has double its nuclear warhead count in ONE year, built a massive navy that it is infusing with Chinese civilian boats, militarizing man-made islands near Taiwan and on and on and on. The year 2049 is very important to the Chinese. Look it up.
No, Colonel, you are correct: The Chinese are NOT 10 feet tall. We've been on our knees too long. I would have loved to have seen this book move more into the boots-on-the-ground American that WILL face these invaders. As the border collapsed and over 30% of immigrants being noted as Chinese military age males . . . do the math.
China has double its nuclear warhead count in ONE year, built a massive navy that it is infusing with Chinese civilian boats, militarizing man-made islands near Taiwan and on and on and on. The year 2049 is very important to the Chinese. Look it up.
No, Colonel, you are correct: The Chinese are NOT 10 feet tall. We've been on our knees too long. I would have loved to have seen this book move more into the boots-on-the-ground American that WILL face these invaders. As the border collapsed and over 30% of immigrants being noted as Chinese military age males . . . do the math.
November 2, 2023
Just an alarmist, jingoist screed by another person just wanting to be another talking head on those far-right shows your polarized and scared friends listen to. Hardly any real intelligent analysis here. Another one of those books you will throw away in a few years and wonder why you wasted money on, and time reading this hysteria-filled rubbish.
April 22, 2023
You have to wade through hyperbolic statements to get to any useful information in this warning to America. Reads like a news cast of the right leaning press with a touch of America is sliding into non-relevance because of a failure in values.
April 10, 2023
I give this book 2 stars because if it’s aim is to further US National Security, the blind spots outweigh the correctly stated facts about US-China relations. In order to create strategy to further our National Security, it is imperative that the policy makers and decision makers can absorb facts and trends without bias or blind spots. In such a partisan time, it is especially crucial that these leaders do now allow their political leanings to get in the way of absorbing facts in a sober-minded manner. Any leader that approaches the China problem with a partisan bias first and foremost will endanger the US and it’s allies. Therefore it is crucial we listen to moderate voices that do not demonstrate political bias as we prepare the country for the more dangerous world where China is increasingly aggressive.
Imagine a circle. At the top is authoritarianism. At the bottom is democracy. If you start from democract and go along the circle just to the right you have moderate Republicans. If you start from democracy and go along the circle just to the left you have moderate Democrats. These days most people that affiliate with political parties are further along the circle than the moderate section. So go a bit farther either way and you have most democrats and republicans today. But what if you keep going in either direction? The farther you push either ideology, the farther you get away from democracy and the closer you get to authoritarianism. This is the danger of either political party taken to its ultimate extreme without checks or balances.
The author is writing from a far right perspective trying to prevent the US from ultimately being turned into a vassal state of China under one-party rule. Yet he sees the problem of authoritarianism as a distinctly radical Democrat problem. He is blind to the fact that if he takes his ideology just a little farther to the right than where he currently is, the US is weakened, cannot stand up to China, and becomes its own authoritarian nation. This blind spot makes this book dangerous despite a lot of factual information. This book seeks to call to action but the call to action is to fight against liberals rather than to join liberals in a bipartisan effort to unite against Chinese aggression.
There are many good books about the current US-China tensions that give factual advice in a bipartisan way. These books are just as sober about the dangerous realities of China and it’s goals. Yet the books deliver their information in a way that brings together the citizens of the US rather than separate them. If we are to stand up to such a huge threat as China, only united will we stand, protect our allies and ultimately prevail.
Imagine a circle. At the top is authoritarianism. At the bottom is democracy. If you start from democract and go along the circle just to the right you have moderate Republicans. If you start from democracy and go along the circle just to the left you have moderate Democrats. These days most people that affiliate with political parties are further along the circle than the moderate section. So go a bit farther either way and you have most democrats and republicans today. But what if you keep going in either direction? The farther you push either ideology, the farther you get away from democracy and the closer you get to authoritarianism. This is the danger of either political party taken to its ultimate extreme without checks or balances.
The author is writing from a far right perspective trying to prevent the US from ultimately being turned into a vassal state of China under one-party rule. Yet he sees the problem of authoritarianism as a distinctly radical Democrat problem. He is blind to the fact that if he takes his ideology just a little farther to the right than where he currently is, the US is weakened, cannot stand up to China, and becomes its own authoritarian nation. This blind spot makes this book dangerous despite a lot of factual information. This book seeks to call to action but the call to action is to fight against liberals rather than to join liberals in a bipartisan effort to unite against Chinese aggression.
There are many good books about the current US-China tensions that give factual advice in a bipartisan way. These books are just as sober about the dangerous realities of China and it’s goals. Yet the books deliver their information in a way that brings together the citizens of the US rather than separate them. If we are to stand up to such a huge threat as China, only united will we stand, protect our allies and ultimately prevail.
November 3, 2024
Colonel Grant Newsham's When China Attacks – A Warning to America is an insightful and urgent exploration of China's rising geopolitical ambitions and the potential for conflict. Drawing from his extensive experience as a U.S. Marine officer, diplomat, and expert on East Asian security, Newsham provides a clear, well-researched narrative about the military, economic, and strategic forces propelling China's global assertiveness.
The book pivots around the idea that the West, especially the United States, has largely underestimated China's aggressive posture. Newsham examines various potential flashpoints, from Taiwan to the South China Sea, illustrating how China's military modernization and economic influence could quickly escalate into a direct confrontation. The subtitle, "A Warning to America," echoes Newsham's belief that the U.S. must abandon its complacency and recognize the real and present dangers posed by an emboldened China.
Col. Grant Newsham mentions “ The First and Second Island Chains underpin the defence architecture of America and its allies. If the People’s Republic of China breaks or leapfrogs the chains, U.S. defences in the Western Pacific will collapse.” He highlights that with the fall of these chains, USA is unlikely able to aid and substantiate the strategic relationship with its allies in South East Asia.
Newsham sheds light on how China is influencing American politics, culture, industries, trade and commerce, lifestyle, and Wall Street, inside the country using different modes of warfare, and all of this substantiated with factual details using different modes of warfare.
Read more about the book here:
https://theindianbookclub.com/readers...
The book pivots around the idea that the West, especially the United States, has largely underestimated China's aggressive posture. Newsham examines various potential flashpoints, from Taiwan to the South China Sea, illustrating how China's military modernization and economic influence could quickly escalate into a direct confrontation. The subtitle, "A Warning to America," echoes Newsham's belief that the U.S. must abandon its complacency and recognize the real and present dangers posed by an emboldened China.
Col. Grant Newsham mentions “ The First and Second Island Chains underpin the defence architecture of America and its allies. If the People’s Republic of China breaks or leapfrogs the chains, U.S. defences in the Western Pacific will collapse.” He highlights that with the fall of these chains, USA is unlikely able to aid and substantiate the strategic relationship with its allies in South East Asia.
Newsham sheds light on how China is influencing American politics, culture, industries, trade and commerce, lifestyle, and Wall Street, inside the country using different modes of warfare, and all of this substantiated with factual details using different modes of warfare.
Read more about the book here:
https://theindianbookclub.com/readers...
April 22, 2025
An exhaustive and perhaps hyperbolic warning about China. I don't disagree China is America's biggest threat and adversary. I don't disagree America has been ignoring that threat or even playing into China's game for personal profits (perhaps our worst problem; greedy Americans). And the author does point out its America's mindset which is likely the key to whether China will prevail to dominate the world (including US) or fail as all Communist states have before to the mistaken notion that autocratic rule over the population is best (BTW, Marxist believe eventually Nobody will be the autocrat and anarchy will reign; what crap). So, like many others, this book is scary. And it advocates Action. And this author is a former Marine so some of that Action is military. I personally don't believe killing lots of people in wars is the answer. Let's all Just Stop Funding China and it'll Die on its own from its system killing its own economy. QED
August 25, 2025
A sobering and shocking account of the greatest clear and present danger facing our nation today
An extremely well-written and supported essay on the danger that America faces from communist China, how our own business elites have supported it out of sheer greed and personal interest, and what we need to do to avoid being dominated by this hideous totalitarian regime.
An extremely well-written and supported essay on the danger that America faces from communist China, how our own business elites have supported it out of sheer greed and personal interest, and what we need to do to avoid being dominated by this hideous totalitarian regime.
June 22, 2023
Eye opening
This published book here is the result of a true and free democracy for all.The flipside is that this informative book and our reviews would not have seen the day of light .This should be required reading for all
This published book here is the result of a true and free democracy for all.The flipside is that this informative book and our reviews would not have seen the day of light .This should be required reading for all
May 5, 2023
Spot on
This book gets right to the heart of the matter and gives answers to the China prob!em. This book should be required reading in schools and government.
This book gets right to the heart of the matter and gives answers to the China prob!em. This book should be required reading in schools and government.
August 14, 2023
Must read if you think the US Military Has any chance of defending this country. We are in trouble.
September 2, 2023
Fascinating warmongering.
December 6, 2024
Audible
May 26, 2025
Long & intense. Lots of facts. Situations, responses & results of happenings worldwide. Cause & effect. Opens your eyes.
August 1, 2025
This informative book is a wake up call that reveals the methods China uses to achieve its goal to replace America as a very powerful and influential superpower worldwide. Recommended.
August 24, 2025
This is insanely biased
November 6, 2025
Very interesting information.
January 11, 2025
When China Attacks" er en nedslående dommedagsprofeti fra perm til perm. Budskapet er at de slemme kineserne forsøker å ta rotta på de snille amerikanerne, USA forfaller kulturelt og Washington består av naive feiginger som er i lommen på Kina. Videre antydes det at koronapandemien var orkestret av Kina for å ramme USA og at Parisavtalen kom i stand for å kue USAs vekst og fremgang.
Dette er nok den minst balanserte utenrikspolitiske boken jeg noensinne har lest. Det finnes utvilsomt er rekke gode grunner til å være skeptisk til Kinas økende makt, men forfatterens manglende evne til å se saken fra flere sider svekker i mine øyne hans troverdighet.
Jeg vet ikke hvor mye klokere jeg har blitt av å lese denne boken, men den har om ikke annet vært fascinerende å få et innblikk i verdenssynet som ligger bak den beinharde anti-Kina-ideologien som har vokst på den amerikanske høyresiden de senere årene.
Dette er nok den minst balanserte utenrikspolitiske boken jeg noensinne har lest. Det finnes utvilsomt er rekke gode grunner til å være skeptisk til Kinas økende makt, men forfatterens manglende evne til å se saken fra flere sider svekker i mine øyne hans troverdighet.
Jeg vet ikke hvor mye klokere jeg har blitt av å lese denne boken, men den har om ikke annet vært fascinerende å få et innblikk i verdenssynet som ligger bak den beinharde anti-Kina-ideologien som har vokst på den amerikanske høyresiden de senere årene.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews