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The Red Emperor

Xi Jinping and His New China

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The Red Emperor

By: Michael Sheridan
Narrated by: Daniel York Loh
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About this listen

'Michael Sheridan is one of the best informed and wisest writers on China' - Chris Patten, last governor of Hong Kong

The Red Emperor presents an eye-opening portrait of Xi Jinping, the man who presides over 1.4 billion people and the second largest economy on earth. Born a 'princeling' to one of Communist China's ruling families, the young Xi was exiled to the countryside during the Cultural Revolution. He fought his way back to the top by stealth, privilege and guile. In 2012, following the spectacular fall of his rival Bo Xilai, Xi Jinping became the leader of China.

In a compulsively readable narrative, veteran foreign correspondent Michael Sheridan takes the reader from the poor, isolated country of Xi's youth to the military and economic superpower of today. In Xi's new China, family mafias struggle for power amid murder, corruption and sex scandals as ministers and generals vanish in purges. No one is safe in his techno-security state. Xi is an absolute ruler whose word is law on everything from war and peace to the ruthless campaign against Covid-19. He aims to dominate world trade, to defeat Western democracy and to make China the supreme power in the East. A loner and a risk-taker, he is the most consequential leader of our time.

Drawing on intimate stories from the closed world of China's leading families and two decades of first-hand reporting, Michael Sheridan sheds new light on the history and politics of China. The book reveals that behind the façade of the Chinese Communist Party there is a modern dynasty and a new emperor.©2024 Michael Sheridan (P)2024 Headline Publishing Group Ltd
Asia China Economic History Economics Politicians Politics & Activism Presidents & Heads of State War Military

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All stars
Most relevant  
The latter stage seemed to be more of a hatchet job, and that made you think about the earlier parts.

I listened to learn the history of Xi, not to read a Western perspective on China. Now I'm not so sure I trust this in either respect.

The early days related quite a tale

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The narrator has brought to life what could be quite a dry book! Daniel York’s Asian heritage and command of Mandarin pronunciation gives weight to Michael Sheridan’s narrative flair!

Superb Performance

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This seems to be a very well researched book and is engaging throughout. I would recommend.

Fascinating insights

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The narrator maintains a constant kind of gravely condemnatory, glum tone throughout that gets pretty grating. More range is needed to do justice to the material, which is interesting.

Poor narration

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