The Bomb is Back

The myth of China's nuclear restraint obscures the dangers of its rapidly expanding arsenal. A trio of recent books take us from the bomb’s origins in Lop Nur to the present arms race.

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.

From the Archive

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.

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.