Customer Reviews

China Dawn: The Story of a Technology and Business Revolution

5 star:		(16)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
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1 star:		(2)

 

 

Sheff's Game Over is the best book ever written about videogames. I have been awaiting for his next book. It was worth the wait. I found the book after coming upon another review online. I have cut and pasted it here, since it sums the new book up: "China," writes David Sheff, is now "one of the most vibrant places on the planet, where each day has a life-or-death sense of purpose, despair, frustration, opportunity, hope, and dread." As this quotation reveals, Sheff's prose is as energetic and alive as his chosen subject, the digital revolution that is "invisibly but profoundly" transforming one of the world's oldest cultures into an economic and technological powerhouse.
For a sense of the book's scope, consider some of the scenarios Sheff sketches in his preface. For instance, half of China's population is scheduled to become connected to the Internet within the next decade, creating an online community of 600 million users that could become the largest market for American technology products. And since the ability to exchange scientific, political, and personal information accompanies Internet access, the digitalization of China could just be a prelude to an eventual democratization of the country. The consequences of "digital packets and beams of light" could be staggering, particularly since any change in the Chinese government will have a tremendous impact on the entire global community.
Sheff approaches his subject by focusing on two young Chinese information technology leaders: Bo Feng, investment banker and venture capitalist, and Edward Tian, CEO of China Netcom Corporation (CNC). The force that drives both men came into being with the Tiananmen Square tragedy: Like many Chinese students abroad at the time, they wanted to return to China to participate in the struggle for reform and to peacefully avenge the fate of the student protesters. Both men resolved to use the business acumen they acquired in the United States as an agent of change, although that resolve is also balanced by a patriotic emotion that is very compelling. Although there have been other group portraits of entrepreneurs in action (Randall Stross' eBoys being the most compelling), China Dawn draws you into its narrative with a power that exceeds that of any other similar book. After all, the destiny of humanity could hinge upon what happens in China. Written with more zeal and energy than most thrillers, this is a book that you'll find to be pleasurable as well as educational, entertaining as well as serious. (Holly McGuire and Sunil Sharma)

I got this book by accident. I read "China Dream" first, then this one. I have a very similar background and life path described in the book: came to USA early 90s, finished a postgraduate degree, became a IT engineer and started up a technology company to help China traditional industry like Tobacco. To outsider, China is a very special place filled with controversial issues in all aspects, specially political and social issues. A great opportunity always comes from problems, complexity, confusion and uncertainty for most of people. Only most determined ones will eventually win. To give up everything going back to China is a very difficult personal decision, especially you have a family established in USA. I appreciate exactly what these people have been through. The story is far beyond the stories of the Valley. I will have another trip to China in this summer and hopefully I can talk with these guys.

I have been working in Beijing and other Chinese cities and can't believe that a book has come out that gives a sense of exactly what it's like to live and work in the IT industry of China. Edward Tian, Wang Zhidong (who has started a new company), and the VCs in this book are our equivalent of Bill Gates, Jack Welch, Jerry Yang, Andy Grove, and the major U.S. players. Read this book for an education and, in the process, be thoroughly entertained. Fantastic!

The characters in this book are not what the book described since the author is the personal friend of the characters. This is purely free publicity for them. Search the web and you will find other comments about the auther. The latest story is the VCs have splited since they can't really get along, and the politics in the VC firm was unbearable with just a few people. Most of the portfolio companies are in bad shape. The VC's website has not been updated since 2001, wonder why. If you really want to know about IT in China, then you should learn from other sources. Most of the IT companies in China are not making money. This book only gives you a picture of the early dotcom years and we all know what happened. Don't judge the book by the cover or the content. It is only a perspective from one person.

I felt like I was on an adventure in China with some of the most incredible characters I have read about in a long time. The book reminds me of the best books about the Silicon Valley entrepreneurs, but it is set in a world that I don't know much about. I felt like I went on a journey to China and back. I have not been able to stop thinking about the main characters, including Edward Tian, James Ding, Bo Feng, Eric Li, and a few other guys who are technological geniuses and, best of all, hysterically funny.

I'm just back from China. This book is the first of the many China books that I have read that captures how it really feels there. THe story about the visit to an old village where fiber optics are being installed brilliantly shows the clash between the new and the old. THe mains characters, businessmen and venture capitalists, are fantastic. I didn't want the book to end so that I can see where this story takes them next.

I read this in two days because the story is gripping. I love reading about entrepreneurs and these are some of the best ever. Makes me want to go to China--to be part of this extraordinary revolution.

As an Asian watcher who lived abroad in China and Taiwan, I really enjoyed and sped through this book. The motivation of the characters (tireless and superhuman at times) to see the inevitable changes technology is bringing and then work to make China a part of it is both an exciting and touching story. If you enjoy stories of dreamers, doers, and the entrepreneur spirit, this is a good read for you.

I don't know where to begin to describe the emotion I feel reading this book. I cried. Yes I cried. Why? I am Chinese American who experienced a similar story when my parents were taken and beaten in China for committing no crime. After the CR I was sent to the U.S. Here I watched on TV June 4 1989. I did not go back to China. My heart and my ancestors live in China. I admire these men who did go back. I cry about their bravery. They are the heroes of China. They are great men who are working for the people of the China. I am thankful for a beautfiul book and to remember my country. I am hopeful now.

As an Asian watcher who lived abroad in China and Taiwan, I really enjoyed and sped through this book. The motivation of the characters (tireless and superhuman at times) to see the inevitable changes technology is bringing and then work to make China a part of it is both an exciting and touching story. If you enjoy stories of dreamers, doers, and the entrepreneur spirit, this is a good read for you.