The Return of Great Powers

Russia, China, and the Next World War

By: Jim Sciutto

Narrated by: Jim Sciutto

Instant New York Times Bestseller

A Politico Top 10 Most Anticipated Book of 2024

A New York Times Notable Book

A New York Times Book Review Editors' Choice

“An absorbing account of 21st-century brinkmanship . . . . one that should be read by every legislator or presidential nominee sufficiently deluded to think that returning America to its isolationist past or making chummy with Putin is a viable option in today’s world.”–New York Times Book Review

The essential new book by CNN anchor and chief national security analyst Jim Sciutto, identifying a new, more uncertain global order with reporting on the frontlines of power from existing wars to looming ones across the globe.

The fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989 dawned what Francis Fukuyama called “The End of History.” Three decades later, Jim Sciutto said on CNN’s air as the Ukraine war began, that we are living in a “1939 moment.” History never ended—it barely paused—and the global order as we long have known it is now gone. Powerful nations are determined to assert dominance on the world stage. And as their push for power escalates, a new order will affect everyone across the globe. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is a part of it, but in reality, this power struggle impacts every corner of our world—from Helsinki to Beijing, from Australia to the North Pole. This is a battle with many fronts: in the Arctic, in the oceans and across the skies, on man-made islands and redrawn maps, and in tech and cyberspace.

Through globe-spanning, exclusive interviews with dozens of political, military, and intelligence leaders, Sciutto defines our times as a return of great power conflict, “a definitive break between the post–Cold War era and an entirely new and uncertain one.” With savvy, thorough, in-person reporting, he follows-up his 2019 bestseller, The Shadow War: Inside Russia’s and China's Secret Operations to Defeat America, which focused on the covert tactics of a hidden conflict.

The Return of Great Powers analyzes a historic and visible shift in real time. It details the realities of this new post-post-Cold War era, the increasingly aligned Russian and Chinese governments, and the flashpoint of a new, global nuclear arms race. And it poses a question: As we consider uncertain, even terrifying, outcomes, will it be possible for the West and Russia and China to prevent a new World War?

©2024 Jim Sciutto (P)2024 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

Named a Most-Anticipated Title by Foreign Policy and Politico

"In The Return of Great Powers: Russia, China, and the Next World War, Mr. Sciutto depicts a world made more dangerous by Chinese and Russian expansionism. Drawing on his experience as CNN’s chief national-security correspondent, Mr. Sciutto has written an eye-witness account of history as it unfolds." —Wall Street Journal

"Sciutto takes no pleasure in playing Cassandra, warning of a world that for all its 21st-century sophistication and irony is backsliding towards Greek tragedy." —The Guardian

“A powerful and well-written warning to us all.” —The Cipher Brief

A must read to be informed

I have always enjoyed and respected Jim Sciutto’s work, but I had no idea about his background. This book displays why he won the Edward R Murrow award and two Emmys. His insights into world affairs, especially Asia and Ukraine, are particularly helpful. This is a must read for any person who wants to be truly informed about world affairs and the growing chances of war with Russia or China. The breakdown in communication between the US and China is especially alarming. I don’t think most people are aware that we could lose a war against China and/or Russia and how much closer we are today to global conflict.

Great Bias

The author has a sound understanding of the material, however throughout the book he injected his personal political bias. The bias was blatant in casting the Biden administration the most favorable light, and often glossing over or ignoring the entire issue. Additionally, devoted an entire chapter to disparaging Trump and his policies, while again ignoring the positive aspects of any given policy. I prefer the facts, and allow the reader to form their own conclusions.

Disappointing

I had high expectations for the book, as Jim Sciutto’s commentary on CNN often insightful and cutting edge. But the book illustrates the difference between book and long form essays and shorter tv commentaries. No TOC, disjointed, and reads like a series of shorter pieces strung together in book form. Some good sections but other sections smacking of “I was there and talked with so and so.”Disappointing.

Fine but no new ground covered

Frequently repetitive and lots of uninspired interviews. Not to mention partisan jabs this book is among the masses and totally forgettable like most coming from legacy media authors.

Fantastic material, but the book was very repetitive and self-laudatory.

This material is of grave import and he is authoritative. Everyone should listen to this book. I avidly consume CNN and consider Mr. Sciutto a fantastic correspondent. This is the first book of his that I've read.

I only had two complaints. First, it seems like every five minutes Mr. Sciutto stated "as I reported earlier in xxxxx (frequently "The Shadow War." I can't tell you how distracting or annoying it is for an author to keep patting themself on the back like that second.

Second, the book is so repetitive. It also seems like every ten minutes includes a repetition of a point that was said earlier. I was left with the impression that the work was either patched together out of a collection of different works or that it wasn't edited properly. Considering it was read by the author, I imagine it got annoying to read.

Again, great material, but there were two annoyances that made me leave my first ever audible review out of hundreds of titles.

Strong command of the big 3 nations

Thoroughly enjoyed book . Have confidence in authors facts and most conclusions . I disagree on the value he places on alliances and treaties . As Churchill said “ the only alliances we can trust are the ones from the countries we don’t need. History so accurately demonstrates that where s major power wants to extricate itself from agreements it does so without concern . After listening to over 240 books . 95% non fiction and memoirs the author has the perfect voice to accompany his writing skills and intellect. Now for a crisp that reduces the authors credibility. He trashes Trump on many occasions but says nothing negative about Biden . I’m not s trump fan but if your going after one president you must go after the other. Your credibility is at stake

The massive unrest in today's world and the decline of the US because of the political divide.

The book summarized much of what we know to be happening among the world powers. Unfortunately, the US is fostering our decline while the Eastern powers are ascending. Russia is a mess but China is progressing toward world leadership on multiple fronts.

eye opening

We are living in a dangerous world where one conflict could ruin the world for hundreds of years. China, North Korea, Taiwan/ Russia, the Ukraine/ Iran, Isreal.

The book was well written and read.

A must read if you want to learn how the world powers work it.

This read has been a huge help for me in understanding how the Super Powers work in the world together and against each other, good read.

The possibility of a looming WW3

The realization that we are on a path to our future disaster and that we need to use all means possible to avoid a catastrophe