Changing China

Five new books deal with efforts to transform China: from the conquests of the Warring States to nationalist internet fantasies, all the way to campaigns against superstition.

Colonial Adventures

When a British diplomat was found murdered in southwest China in 1875, near the Burmese border, a political spat was triggered that would have wide-ranging ramifications.

Zero-Sum

A Chinese invasion or blockade of Taiwan is a constant, if not imminent, risk. Three new books consider Beijing’s options for force, Taiwan’s fractured politics, and how America is stuck in the middle of a zero-sum game.

From the Archive

Human Literature

In the age of artificial intelligence, with publishers turning to AI translation tools, it is more meaningful than ever to read human translations of literature. Here are five.

How Communism Won China

The CCP presents its victory in 1949 as historical inevitability, hard-won after years of struggle. A new book suggests it had more to do with the Soviets, luck and brutal tactics — but overlooks some other key context.