Everything Under the Heavens

How the Past Helps Shape China's Push for Global Power

By: Howard W. French

Narrated by: Nicholas Hormann

From the former New York Times Asia correspondent and author of China's Second Continent, an incisive investigation of China's ideological development as it becomes an ever more aggressive player in regional and global diplomacy.

For many years after its reform and opening in 1978, China maintained an attitude of false modesty about its ambitions. That role, reports Howard French, has been set aside. China has asserted its place among the global heavyweights, revealing its plans for pan-Asian dominance by building its navy, increasing territorial claims to areas like the South China Sea, and diplomatically bullying smaller players. Underlying this attitude is a strain of thinking that casts China's present-day actions in decidedly historical terms, as the path to restoring the dynastic glory of the past. If we understand how that historical identity relates to current actions, in ways ideological, philosophical, and even legal, we can learn to forecast just what kind of global power China stands to become--and to interact wisely with a future peer.

Steeped in deeply researched history as well as on-the-ground reporting, this is French at his revelatory best.

Great Primer

Howard French masterfully related historical reference with current relationships in and around China. I recommend this book to any seeking to understand why a new great power competition is upon us.

Unique Concept

First ignore the 50 cent review titled "Slanted views, lack of understand {sic} of China." Second the author takes a look a the historical significance of  天下. No surprises there, unless your name is daryl darwin and you didn't quite understand what you were getting yourself into even after you read the subtitle.

When I began the book, my initial thought was that Howard French was a bit of a western chauvinist. But if you don't allow your own short sightedness steer you adrift, you realize Mr. French is just using historical facts as a lens to explain present day Chinese foreign policy. Moreover, he does not single out the chauvinism of China alone, but also that of Japan, Vietnam, and the US. While doing this, I never felt that he was attempting to castigate foreign policy errors, rather he presents them to the reader so as to enlighten them to the geopolitical realities of East Asia.

China - a clear and present danger for the future.

Where does Everything Under the Heavens rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Very high in the ranking. Well researched and narrated - gives extensive Chinese and Chinese-Japanese History and provides the appropriate historical context.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Recent Chinese Leaders who made changes to made a great positive difference for their country.

Have you listened to any of Nicholas Hormann’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No basis for an evaluation

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

No extreme reaction.
This is a very serious book.
This is a very serious subject.
People interested in U.S. Foreign Policy and its future would do well to read and understand this book and the challenges it represents.

Any additional comments?

Are the American people sleeping? Do they recognize their world position is being actively challenged? Do they care? Are they willing to stop the clown show(s) and do something about it? Are they willing to accept the consequences of inaction?

Thoughtful and thorough analysis

This thoughtful and thorough analysis casts current events in historic context, taking the long view so often missing from contemporary american sociopolitical discussion.

Neither alarmist nor apologist, the author presents a well reasoned and supported argument for caution and consistency in responding to a resurgent and confident China's regional and geopolitical strategic goals.

For me as an Australian this work provides additional and valuable context to current affairs in south east asia and, notwithstanding Goff's reassignment of nationality, is well worth listening to.

Dense, Long, Necessary

A great voice reads a lengthy, comprehensive review of Chinese history to explain current geostrategic facts in and around China specifically, and concerning Chinese interests globally.