CEO, China: The Rise of Xi Jinping

CEO, China follows Xi Jinping's rise to power as China's paramount leader and examines the political system that enabled his ascent. Through research and interviews, Kerry Brown traces Xi's early years, family background, and career trajectory within the Chinese Communist Party. The book maps out the networks of power, institutional structures, and political relationships that define leadership in modern China. Brown analyzes Xi's consolidation of authority and his vision for China's domestic and international future. The narrative provides context for understanding China's unique political model and decision-making processes under Xi's leadership. Key episodes and turning points in Xi's career reveal the qualities and circumstances that positioned him to assume China's presidency. This political biography raises questions about power, governance, and the intersection of personal ambition with national destiny in an era of Chinese resurgence. Brown's account illuminates the complexities of leading the world's most populous nation during a time of historic transformation.

Readers found this to be a measured analysis of Xi's rise to power, though some note it focuses more on Communist Party mechanics than Xi's personal story. The book is credited for explaining complex party dynamics in clear terms. Readers appreciated: - Clear explanations of China's governance structure - Details on Xi's early career and provincial roles - Analysis of power consolidation methods - Historical context of Chinese leadership transitions Common criticisms: - Too much focus on party processes vs Xi himself - Limited insight into Xi's personality and private life - Some repetition between chapters - Publication date (2016) means recent events aren't covered Ratings: Goodreads: 3.8/5 (216 ratings) Amazon: 4.2/5 (58 ratings) Multiple readers noted the book works better as a primer on CCP operations than as a traditional biography. One Amazon reviewer said it "explains the party's decision-making better than any other book," while a Goodreads review called it "more academic than biographical."

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🔹 Kerry Brown learned Mandarin Chinese while living in Inner Mongolia during the late 1980s, giving him unique insights into Chinese culture during a transformative period 🔹 Xi Jinping was rejected from joining the Communist Youth League ten times in his youth due to his father's political disgrace during the Cultural Revolution 🔹 The book reveals how Xi Jinping's early experiences of being sent to work in a remote village for seven years shaped his political philosophy and leadership style 🔹 Author Kerry Brown served as First Secretary at the British Embassy in Beijing and is one of the foremost Western experts on Chinese politics 🔹 Xi Jinping's rise to power marked the first time in Chinese Communist Party history that a leadership transition was announced five years in advance, breaking with previous succession patterns