Going to keep it brief this year.
Extraordinary book that recounts Shan’s experiences during the Cultural Revolution — particularly the six years he spent doing hard labor in a re-education camp — and the transformative impact that the normalization of U.S.-China relations and Deng Xiaoping’s economic reforms had on China generally, and on Shan in particular.
I interviewed Shan for the Portico Podcast. You can learn more about the episode at this link.
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Kleptocracy is an existential threat to democratic institutions and governance, as well as the rule of law, globally. Tom’s book joins Misha Glenny’s McMafia and Oliver Bullough’s Moneyland as essential reading.
I interviewed Tom for the Portico Podcast as well. You can learn more about the episode at this link.
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Essential. Absolutely blistering.
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I had been reluctant to read this given the number of people who’ve recommended it, but the first 50 pages brought order to several of the thoughts I’ve had and written about over the years (e.g., here and here).
Some of the book is sophomoric nonsense. Quoting John fucking Calhoun on the fairness of taxes is absurd. But there’s good food for thought on the implications of the Information Age.
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Delightful and imaginative.
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One of the best novels I’ve ever read. Unlike any other book.
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Compelling argument that inequality within countries leads to trade wars. Unlikely to change in the near term as elites in surplus and deficit countries share vested interest in status quo.
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Three Body Problem is overrated, but I liked it enough to continue the series. Dark Forest was much better, and I was eager to see how it would end. Death’s End was legit awesome.
Felt like quitting at multiple points in each of these books, but the value is greater than the sum of the parts. Kind of blew me away, and it made me appreciate humanity for a minute.
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Such a fun read.
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