On Wednesday, August 5, ERRChina will host an online book club discussion. I will be the moderator. The book we have chosen is Breakneck: China’s Quest to Engineer the Future, by Dan Wang.
During my time in China, my mother visited me 11 times (the last two times being for her 80th and 85th birthdays, respectively). On one visit, as I was helping her navigate an uneven Beijing sidewalk littered with obstacles—mostly bicycles—she asked me, “Why are Chinese sidewalks so dangerous?” My response: “Not enough lawyers.” I reminded her that in the US, lawyers push city planners and builders to focus on safety. I thought about that a lot while reading this book.
In his introduction, Dan lays out his thesis:
The starkest contrast between the two countries is the competition that will define the twenty-first century: an American elite, made up of mostly lawyers, excelling at obstruction, versus a Chinese technocratic class, made up of mostly engineers, that excels at construction. That is the big idea behind this book.
He then goes on to discuss the strengths and weaknesses of government by engineers and government by lawyers, ultimately arguing that each country could do well to be a bit more like the other. It’s an interesting thesis, that’s for sure!
To whet your appetite, here is a video of an interview with the author.
If you would like to join us for the online discussion, here’s what you need to do:
- Register for the online book club at ERRC.
- Purchase or borrow the book right away.
- Please read the book. The discussions are so much more meaningful when everyone has read the book.
- Attend the online book club ready to share your observations about the book. We typically focus on these questions:
- Complete this sentence in a word or phrase: This book is about…
- Do you have a favorite quote?
- Do you have a favorite story?
- Were there any surprises?
- Did you have any “aha” moments that helped you gain new insight or understanding about China or the United States?
- Are there any big, lingering questions?
My biggest surprise was learning that the architect of China’s 40-year “one-child policy” was a rocket scientist. Really!
I hope you enjoy the book and can join us for the discussion on August 5, 2026.
