China's Great Leap: The Beijing Games and Olympian Human Rights

For a one-stop-shop of China past, present, and future, look no further than this book. The wide range of issues covered: media freedom and internet censorship; religious freedom and crackdowns by the Chinese government; the global race for the China market; and the complexity of a society with a Communist government and a capitalist economy. The various contributors clearly define their analysis and support their arguments with concise evidence. What I like most about the book is that the authors don't assume too much prior knowledge, making the book easy to read for all, not just China experts. Will China emerge as the world's dominant power? Will missteps and missed Olympic opportunities set back reform and lead to detrimental effects for ordinary Chinese citizens? Read China's Great Leap for a clear understanding about how and why things in China will change and why some things never will.

As China rapidly evolves and works to find its place in the world, China's Great Leap provides a strong background on recent Chinese history as well as possible improvements in human rights that could occur because of the 2008 Olympic Games. The cast of contributors ranges from Pulitzer winners to experts on Chinese law (and even a sportswriter!), making for a surprising set of perspectives. With topics from pre-Olympic promises made by Beijing to Steven Spielberg's withdrawal as the Olympics' creative advisor, the book covers Chinese preparations for the games from all angles. The essay written by Dave Zirin, a sports writer, struck me most. It illuminates human rights abuses in connection with the Olympic Games set by cities such as Berlin, Mexico City, and Atlanta. This is certainly a must-read for anyone interested in China's current evolution and future.

This book is unique in that it comprises contributions from two Pulitzer Prize winners, eminent experts on topics ranging from Chinese law to Olympic history, and perhaps most importantly, courageous Chinese human rights advocates who have been jailed for their beliefs. One contributor, Bao Tong, is still confined to house arrest in Beijing. The hauntingly beautiful photo essay is a moving tribute to the migrant workers who literally built the Chinese government's Olympic dream, and to the ordinary Chinese citizens who have paid a high price for the realization of this dream. China's Great Leap is essential reading for anyone who wishes to see the Chinese people emerge as the true winners of the Beijing Games.

This is a really smart and readable book that looks at the human rights challenges in China, just as it gears up to host the Olympics in August, 2008. With essays by an all-star list of activists and writers about China, it examines the promises that Beijing made when it won the right to host the games, and intelligently poses the right questions that may prod the Communist leadership into keeping them. I liked Jimmy Lai's piece and his thoughts on 'soft power,' or the ability to influence people through inspiration and moral leadership. I liked other essays that offer some context and background to China's hosting the games, that describe the state of human rights for the religious, for migrant workers, or political optimists. There is so much unintelligible noise about China in the US today, often driven by the fear of those who are frightened that China will 'overtake' us, that a sensible and clear-eyed look at the real situation there is refreshing and welcome. For readers who are curious how to think about the politics surrounding this year's Olympics, this book seems to cover most every angle.