Breakneck

A firsthand account of China’s seismic progress and its strained relationship with the West, told through a sharp contrast between an engineering state and a lawyerly society. Dan Wang blends reportage with political and economic analysis to show how massive building projects have powered China’s rise while social engineering has carried severe human costs.

The result is a clear lens on China’s strengths, weaknesses and growing global ambitions. It will appeal to readers seeking an informed portrait of modern China and the forces shaping the next phase of US China rivalry.