A carefully argued rebuke to the west's negative reaction to Xi's push to make his country less open at home and more assertive abroad.

James Crabtree, Financial Times

In Kerry Brown's several decades of working in and observing China, he has developed a reputation as one of the more sober and thoughtful observers of the country. [In China Incorporated, Brown's arguments] are fleshed out and comprehensive.

Peter Gordon, Asian Review of Books

Whatever your opinion on China -- as a "systemic competitor", "strategic challenge" or just plain old elephant in every room -- it is vital to understand what you are really dealing with. In this book, Kerry Brown does a marvellous job of demythologising China, depicting it convincingly as an "opportunistic, exceptional, more limited power" than is often believed, "driven by self-interest".

- Bill Emmott, Chair, Japan Society of the UK, and former editor-in-chief of The Economist

Brown's book is a voice of sanity in a Western world that, on the matter of China, has, in recent times, taken leave of its senses. It urgently needs to regain them. And Brown's book is a good place to start. He dismisses much of what has recently passed for serious commentary on China as a step back into the darkness of prejudice. He is constantly interesting, always thoughtful, and refreshingly wise and knowing about China. He is also very readable. We can all learn much from this very important contribution to the debate on China.

Martin Jacques, journalist and author of 'When China Rules the World'

At a time when the China debate is characterized by heat rather than light, Kerry Brown gives a sober, highly accessible account of what Chinese power is – and is not. Powerful reading for all interested in geopolitics.

Rana Mitter, Professor of Chinese History and Politics, University of Oxford, UK