Age of Ambition

Chasing Fortune, Truth, and Faith in the New China

By: Evan Osnos

Narrated by: Evan Osnos, George Backman

Length: 16 hrs and 41 mins

Publisher's summary

National Book Award Winner, Nonfiction, 2014

A vibrant, colorful, and revelatory inner history of China during a moment of profound transformation.

From abroad, we often see China as a caricature: a nation of pragmatic plutocrats and ruthlessly dedicated students destined to rule the global economy - or an addled Goliath, riddled with corruption and on the edge of stagnation. What we don’t see is how both powerful and ordinary people are remaking their lives as their country dramatically changes.

As the Beijing correspondent for The New Yorker, Evan Osnos was on the ground in China for years, witness to profound political, economic, and cultural upheaval. In Age of Ambition, he describes the greatest collision taking place in that country: the clash between the rise of the individual and the Communist Party’s struggle to retain control. He asks probing questions: Why does a government with more success lifting people from poverty than any civilization in history choose to put strict restraints on freedom of expression? Why do millions of young Chinese professionals - fluent in English and devoted to Western pop culture - consider themselves "angry youth", dedicated to resisting the West's influence? How are Chinese from all strata finding meaning after two decades of the relentless pursuit of wealth?

Writing with great narrative verve and a keen sense of irony, Osnos follows the moving stories of everyday people and reveals life in the new China to be a battleground between aspiration and authoritarianism, in which only one can prevail.

©2014 Evan Osnos (P)2014 Audible Inc.

Critic reviews

"Evan Osnos, Beijing correspondent for The New Yorker (2005-2010) has written an outstanding book covering the political, economic, and cultural aspects of China. Narrating his own work is a wonderful addition as his command of Mandarin and in-depth knowledge of the country are apparent. Observations and interviews are crisp and timely whether the subject is a billionaire online matchmaker or the dissident Ai Wei Wei, who has many critical and pithy comments. Osnos's apt delivery of humor - both his own and Chinese - adds authenticity and fun. Most revealing are his observations during a European tour with a Chinese group. (He was the only non-Chinese person.) Osnos excels at getting people to open up; he then adds luster with his spirited delivery of their thoughts." (AudioFile)

If you know nothing about modern China

If you know nothing about modern China, enter this journey of an American experience China today. He tells the whole story including the beauty and joy the Chinese people evoke. Broadens the perspective from the western propaganda we are sold as real. We are all connected more than we realize.

Insightful

Osnos has selected characters and stories that has provided me a new appreciation for Chinese culture. I typically focus on US History which excludes far to much history.

Not cohesive

The book reads like unrelated newspaper articles, some are instructive; however, this is not the cohesive look at China moving from a nation with a largely controlled society and economy to an economically strong country struggling with individuals wanting more freedom. At least that is what I expected when I bought it. The stories seemed endless and disconnected. I grew tired of them and did not finish it.

China's contemporary history as A Christmas Carol

The eloquence and vivid narrative from so many experiences and people is amazing and paints China's past, present, and its many possibilities for the future in a way mere statistics or a more conventional narrative could not.

Vivid story

the author paints of vivid picture of modern-day China with both its struggles and it's triumphs. a really interesting and valuable insight into the up-and-coming super power.

brilliant would read again

insightful humorous and fair, i throughly enjoyed the excellant audio rendition by author of the book too.

Good book

It's a good book, great voice, awesome material, hope you can publish another one 10 years later

An interesting glimpse into modern China

Who was your favorite character and why?

Michael, the "Crazy English" student. His enthusiasm is fun and he changes over time, which isn't true of all the people we meet, since we are getting mostly snapshots of their lives.

Customer Service

What did you love best about Age of Ambition?

I found Age of Ambition fascinating, but I am really writing this to thank you for terrific customer service. Just recently, Jan Michael was terrific and very patient in solving a problem. There Should be a place on your site for sending Audible feedback. Feels odd doing it as part of a book review.

Compelling and an education in China

A well written, well researched multi-faceted story of China and her people. A refreshing perspective.