In this installment of the Lightning Girl series, Aurora is dealing with the aftermath of discovering the identity of a secret supervillain. As she navigates this new reality, she must confront whether there might be another, even greater threat looming. The book continues the adventures of Aurora, blending action, mystery, and personal growth.
The novel is set in Warwickshire in the late 16th century and revolves around the life of Agnes, the wife of William Shakespeare, and their children. It fictionalizes the events surrounding the death of their son Hamnet, who died of the plague in 1596 at the age of eleven. The story delves into the grief and emotional turmoil faced by the family, especially Agnes, and how this tragedy influenced Shakespeare's writing, including his play 'Hamlet'. The narrative alternates between different timelines, exploring Agnes's early life, her marriage, and the years following Hamnet's death. The book is a poignant study of motherhood, childhood, and the depths of grief, offering a vivid portrayal of family life during the Tudor period[1][3][5].
Rush Doshi's "The Long Game" meticulously examines China's grand strategy since the end of the Cold War. Drawing from extensive primary source material, including party documents and memoirs, Doshi unveils China's long-term ambitions. The book details China's strategic phases: blunting, building, and expansion, highlighting shifts in approach based on perceived power dynamics with the US. Doshi's analysis provides crucial insights into China's intentions and the implications for US policy. The book's comprehensive research and clear presentation make it a valuable resource for understanding the complexities of US-China relations.
In 'The Mirror & the Light', Hilary Mantel concludes her acclaimed Thomas Cromwell trilogy, which began with 'Wolf Hall' and 'Bring Up the Bodies'. The novel follows Cromwell from the aftermath of Anne Boleyn’s execution to his own downfall. It delves deep into Cromwell’s psyche, reflecting on his past and the complexities of his role as chief minister to Henry VIII. The book is characterized by its rich historical detail, vivid settings, and masterful characterization, making the past feel immediate and visceral. Despite knowing the historical outcome, Mantel crafts a suspenseful narrative that explores the tensions and power dynamics of the Tudor court, culminating in Cromwell’s tragic fall from favor[1][2][5]
This week on Sinica, I chat with veteran Wall Street Journal reporter Bob Davis, who has covered the U.S.-China relationship for decades. He recently published a new book called Broken Engagement, which consists of interviews with U.S. policymakers who were instrumental in shaping American policy toward China from the George H.W. Bush administration through the Biden administration. It's an eye-opening look at the individuals who fought for — and against — engagement with China.
2:58 – Bob’s thoughts on engagement: whether it was doomed from the start, when and why there was a shift, people’s different aspirations for it and retrospective positioning, and whether it could have a transformative effect
13:28 – The Nancy Pelosi interview: her approach, her Taiwan visit, and her critique of capitulation to business interests
17:18 – Bob’s interviews with Charlene Barshefsky, Lawrence Summers, and Bob Zoellick: the WTO accession, the China shock, Zoellick’s “responsible stakeholder” concept, and diplomacy as an ongoing process
27:24 – The Robert Gates interview: security-focused engagement, and his shift to realism
31:14 – Misreading Xi Jinping
34:42 – Bob’s interviews with Stephen Hadley and Ash Carter regarding the South China Sea
39:19 – The Matt Pottinger interview: his view on China and how COVID changed everything
46:14 – Michael Rogers’ interview: cyber espionage and cyber policy
51:25 – Robert O’Brien’s interview: the “reverse Kissinger” and Taiwan
54:14 – Bob’s interview with Kurt Campbell: his famous Foreign Affairs essay, differentiating between decoupling and de-risking, and technology export restrictions and trade deals
59:28 – The Rahm Emanuel interview: his response to wolf warrior diplomacy
1:01:57 – Bob’s takeaways: the long-term vision of engagement, introspective interviewees, and his own increased pessimism
Paying It Forward: Lingling Wei at The Wall Street Journal; Eva Dou at The Washington Post and her book House of Huawei: The Secret History of China’s Most Powerful Company; and Katrina Northrop at The Washington Post
Recommendations:
Bob: The TV series Derry Girls (2018-2022) and Curb Your Enthusiasm (2000-2024); and Margaret O’Farrell’s novels, including Hamnet and The Marriage Portrait
Kaiser: The BBC and Masterpiece series Wolf Hall: The Mirror and the Light
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Sinica Podcast 
