Breakneck by Dan Wang - A 300-Word Book Review
China’s Quest to Engineer the Future
Rating: 9.5/10
Pages: 234
Time To Finish: 5 days - 50 pages/day
Where To Purchase: Amazon
What is it about?
In this book, Dan Wang explains how China is a state led by engineers and how the US is one led by lawyers. They each have their advantages and disadvantages for this reason.
China builds fast, has better infrastructure, and its manufacturing capabilities are unmatched. Whereas the US has pluralism. It recognizes individualism, and that gives it a great advantage.
Both countries can learn a lot from each other.
My favourite parts
In general, this book was very well thought through and very interesting. I have been trying to learn more about China, and this was the best and easiest to read book I’ve read in this pursuit.
I found it very interesting when Dan outlined how bad the COVID lockdowns were in China and how bad the one-child policy was.
I’m also a sucker for when he describes some of the best food in China (I love food).
Who should read it?
If you’re looking to learn more about China, especially in regard to China vs the US, this book is for you.
Additional thoughts
The rise of China is scary for a lot of people in the Western world. There are many assumptions about their motives, where they are in their rise, and how the country is run.
This book is one that’ll give you a better understanding, and perhaps, put you a little more at ease.