China Dawn: The Story of a Technology and Business Revolution

Imagine living through the breakthrough moments of Bill Gates, Steve Jobs, and the other icons of today's new economy. The kind of technological revolution that they led in Silicon Valley is now sweeping through China, but with much more dramatic implications. The dynamic entrepreneurs who are using technology to radically transform business and cultural life in China are fighting not only outdated business models and a tumultuous economy but also an unpredictable government that has a love-hate relationship with the Net, at once pushing its expansion at a feverish pace and censoring it. As Duncan Clark, cofounder of BDA, an Internet consulting company in Beijing, told author David Sheff, "This environment – the regulations, the competition, the political uncertainties – makes these the fastest, most courageous, nimblest-thinking people globally. To deal with this level of risk and still sleep is no small accomplishment. But they're hooked on it like some Chinese are becoming hooked on Starbucks cappuccino." In this irresistible, groundbreaking book, Sheff takes us into the trenches of the Chinese technology revolution, introducing the major and minor players who are leading China into the twenty-first century. Players like Bo Feng, the charismatic former sushi chef who is now one of the leading venture capitalists in China. And Edward Tian, a national hero who has been described as China's Steve Jobs and Bill Gates combined, who left his own start-up on the eve of its IPO in order to lead the government's attempt to bring broadband to the entire nation, in the process leapfrogging the United States, Europe, and the rest of Asia with the longest and fastest network in the world. As the U.S. technological revolution wanes, business leaders will be looking to the billion-plus potential customers in China for new growth. In addition, the world's newest member of the World Trade Organization will no longer be a bystander in the global economy. And when hundreds of million Chinese have access to unprecedented information and communication, China itself will be profoundly altered. With its compelling, character-driven story, researched over the course of three years, China Dawn is the definitive book on the subject.

Review :
“China Dawn tells the spellbinding story of people bringing the Internet to China, catalyzing massive social change.” Marc Andreesen “China Dawn should be required reading as it chronicles history in the making.” Anchee Min, author of Becoming Madame Mao and Red Azaleas “David Sheff has written a fascinating… study of go-getting businessmen in a revived China bound to shape our future.” Gore Vidal “China Dawn is an arresting read, with a level of detail about China and the Internet unduplicated anywhere else.” Salon.com