Book Reviews

China’s fast rise disrupts global order and tests regional ties, too The South China Sea: The Struggle for Power in Asia details the history and disputes, analyzing the potential for conflict as China manages a tightrope between making broad claims and shaping a role as Asia’s benevolent leader. The book is written by Bill Hayton, BBC correspondent who has covered Southeast Asia since 2006, and reviewed by Nayan Chanda, editor in chief of YaleGlobal Online who reported from Vietnam and Cambodia during the 1970s. In the review originally published by GlobalAsia.org, Chanda suggests the book dispels misconceptions, details the South China Sea’s essential role in modern trade and regional divisions, and analyzes the potential for rivalries turning into war.

From 1990 to 2008, Howard French reported for The New York Times as bureau chief for Central America and the Caribbean, West Africa, Japan and the Koreas, and China in Shanghai. French builds on those experiences to describe how Chinese migrants contribute to Africa’s development in his book China’s Second Continent: How a Million Migrants Are Building a New Empire in Africa. The influence can run both ways, notes veteran journalist and editor of YaleGlobal Online Nayan Chanda in his review, which was first published by Global Asia: “A common theme that emerges from French’s inter­views with these Chinese migrants is that most lacked opportunity at home and resented omni­present corruption, pollution and lack of freedom….”  

Exploring extreme and dangerous environments – the ocean depths, space, caves or disaster zones – requires courage, resilience, focus, self-discipline in addition to meticulous planning. Extreme: Why Some People Thrive at the Limits by Emma Barrett and Paul Martin examines the characteristics required to embrace and manage the risks. The authors argue that such skills and attitudes can be developed, taught and practiced. In her review, Susan Froetschel suggests that the skill set will come in handy as the globe experiences more extreme weather patterns, a result of climate change, and she concludes, “The world has a need for people willing to step into harm’s way, and how they manage risks should be understood and appreciated.” 

David Shambaugh, professor of political science and international affairs and director of the China Policy Program at George Washington University, is a highly respected analyst of Chinese politics who has written for YaleGlobal. His most recent book focuses on China’s ambivalent involvement in global affairs and quest for global power. Alistair Burnett, editor of the BBC News Program The World Tonight, describes the book as a “treasure trove” on Chinese global participation and the debates within China’s power circles on how to proceed, albeit through an American lens. Both review and book reinforce the opinion that China is involved in global politics but would prefer to boost economic development at home.