Wealth and Power

Wealth and Power examines China's path to modernization through the lives and ideas of eleven key historical figures from the 19th century to present day. The book follows China's transformation from a declining empire to a rising global power through biographical portraits of intellectuals, politicians, and writers who shaped the nation's trajectory. Each chapter focuses on an influential Chinese leader or thinker who confronted China's weakness and backwardness relative to Western powers. The authors analyze how these figures, from the Empress Dowager Cixi to Deng Xiaoping, pursued their vision of national renewal and restoration through different political and economic approaches. Through careful research and historical analysis, Schell and Delury trace the recurring themes of national humiliation, the drive for fuqiang (wealth and power), and the complex relationship between Chinese tradition and modernization. The narrative reveals how China's past continues to influence its present ambitions and its evolving role in the international order. The work provides insight into the deep historical roots of China's modern identity and aspirations for the future. Its biographical approach illuminates the persistent tensions between reform and tradition, individual rights and collective power that continue to shape China's development.

Readers describe this as an accessible history of China's transformation through biographical sketches of key figures. Many note it provides context for understanding modern China's motivations and development. Liked: - Clear writing style makes complex history digestible - Biographical approach humanizes historical events - Connects historical patterns to present-day China - Strong scholarship while remaining readable Disliked: - Some found the narrative oversimplified - Several readers wanted more economic/social analysis - A few noted pro-Western bias in interpretations - Limited coverage of everyday Chinese citizens Ratings: Goodreads: 4.0/5 (589 ratings) Amazon: 4.4/5 (108 ratings) Reader quote: "Explains China's obsession with national strength through key historical figures. Made me understand their perspective better, even if I don't agree with it." - Goodreads reviewer Multiple readers highlighted the book's value for business people and policymakers seeking to understand China's worldview.

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🔹 Although China was the world's largest economy for much of history prior to 1800, it produced only 4.9% of global GDP by 1978 - the same year Deng Xiaoping began his transformative economic reforms. 🔹 The book's title "Wealth and Power" comes from the Chinese concept of "富强" (fuqiang), which became a national obsession among Chinese reformers following the country's humiliating defeats in the Opium Wars. 🔹 Author Orville Schell has been visiting and writing about China since 1975, making more than 100 trips to the country and serving as the dean of the University of California, Berkeley Graduate School of Journalism. 🔹 The narrative spans 200 years of Chinese history through the stories of eleven influential figures, from scholar Wei Yuan in the early 1800s to current President Xi Jinping. 🔹 Co-author John Delury teaches at Yonsei University in Seoul and previously served as the associate director of Asia Society's Center on U.S.-China Relations, where Orville Schell remains the director.