One of our most perceptive and accurate foreign observers of China

John Simpson, BBC

Xi Jinping, president of China, is now undoubtedly one of the most powerful men in the world. This is the first biography of Xi in English and provides a lucid and readable account of his background, rise to power and political background.

Gideon Rachman, Financial Times

Dazzlingly detailed

Tom Plate, Distinguished Scholar of Asian and Pacific Studies at Loyola Marymount University, Los Angeles

...this one is the best book I ever have read on the exercise of power in contemporary China.

Professor Tyler Cowen, Holbert C. Harris Chair of economics at George Mason University

Xi is determined to reshape China and bring it into the centre of the international stage. We all feel these profound changes, but few of us have the ability to step back, put Xi in perspective, analyse his rise, and guess where Xi will take us. Kerry Brown has it, and he delivers. This book provides an excellent account of Xi's rise, his visions, his determination, and the future he is making for China and for the world. All who are interested in China and its global role should read it.'

Yongnian Zheng, Director of the East Asian Institute, National University of Singapore

One of the most useful studies available of how power works in today's China. I doubt any other writer provides as many insights into how a closed system makes decisions and allocates authority.

Bob Carr, Director of the Australia–China Relations Institute at UTS, former Australian Foreign Minister and longest-serving New South Wales Premier