• How Asia Works

  • Success and Failure in the World's Most Dynamic Region
  • By: Joe Studwell
  • Narrated by: Nigel Patterson
  • Length: 11 hrs and 46 mins
  • 4.6 out of 5 stars (450 ratings)

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How Asia Works  By  cover art

How Asia Works

By: Joe Studwell
Narrated by: Nigel Patterson
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Publisher's summary

In the 1980s and 1990s, many in the West came to believe in the myth of an East-Asian economic miracle, with countries seen as not just development prodigies but as a unified bloc, culturally and economically similar, and inexorably on the rise. In How Asia Works, Joe Studwell distills extensive research into the economics of nine countries - Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, the Philippines, Vietnam, and China - into an accessible narrative that debunks Western misconceptions, shows what really happened in Asia and why, and for once makes clear why some countries have boomed while others have languished.

Impressive in scope, How Asia Works is essential listening for anyone interested in a region that will shape the future of the world.

©2013 Joe Studwell (P)2017 Tantor
  • Unabridged Audiobook
  • Categories: History

What listeners say about How Asia Works

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The best economic development book I’ve ever seen

This book gives the essential blueprint for how developing countries succeed in the postwar era. He tells you why countries like Japan, Taiwan,Korea succeeded and others like the Philippines Indonesia Malaysia did not. If you want to understand Asian economics you must listen to this book.

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5 people found this helpful

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a good book, that explains Asian economies well

This book explains the economic history, of Asia quite well. Along the way you learn how countries influenced each other. How the Germans influenced the Japanese, in turn they influenced the Koreans, and so on. Also the other important takeaway, is that you learn about Friedrich List

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3 people found this helpful

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Excellent Book - Huge Topic

Narrator is top quality

The content is well presented and defended. The story is excellent and detailed. It would have been easy to make this a boring book. But it is not boring.

People should read this to understand the China-side on Trade.

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2 people found this helpful

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A roadmap for economic development

Excellent book. Well written and well narrated. My only complaint is that the volume is inconsistent. It can dip and rise without warning, and is often too quiet.

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2 people found this helpful

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very interesting account of economics

very interesting account of economics in general and east Asia in particular. interesting metaphor doing crucial work of nations' economies being infants or grown-ups.

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2 people found this helpful

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Lessons in the quest for economic development

Excellent audiobook.. A must read for all those entrusted with economic policies in developing states..

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1 person found this helpful

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EM Economics

Most people who go to University study developed markets economics. This book shows the least taught economics, EM economics. Lovely book!

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Didn’t start well, so I didn’t finish.

Some of the propositions explained by the author fly in the face of basic economics. Additionally some of the remedies the author prescribes are bordering on socialist or Marxist. Not a fan.

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1 person found this helpful

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Great insight of the Asian economy and development

Being an Asian myself it is great to know how neighbouring nations succeed while others don't.

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    3 out of 5 stars

Boring.

Maybe it was over my head but it could have used some analogies and comparisons to make it more interesting.

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1 person found this helpful