by Evan Osnos
First published 2021
China stands at a crossroads between ancient traditions and modern ambitions. Evan Osnos draws from his five years as a New Yorker correspondent to examine the Asian giant during a pivotal period in its development. The book focuses on three central forces reshaping Chinese society: the relentless pursuit of wealth, attempts at democratic reform, and questions of spiritual identity. The Communist Party looms over all these transformations. Osnos weaves together voices from across Chinese society, from ordinary citizens navigating rapid change to prominent figures like artist Ai Weiwei, who has challenged state authority despite personal risk. This unbridled race for prosperity touches every level of society and threatens the social stability that enabled China's remarkable rise. The book captures a nation caught between its authoritarian past and an uncertain future.
Genres: politics, china, non-fiction, 21st-century, current-affairs, asian-american
Vibes: intimate, suspenseful, thought-provoking
Tropes: cultural-clash, social-commentary
Setting: China
Period: 21st-century
528 pages · Paperback · El Hombre del Tres