I've been visiting China since 1967 and following its rising fortunes ever since. After receiving my doctorate from UMass, Amherst, I moved to Chiang Mai, Thailand, an hour from the Chinese border, and began trying to understand the country's phenomenal success.

The result is a book, "Why China Leads the World: Talent at the Top, Data in the Middle, Democracy at the Bottom," the only book in English that explains why China works so well, and why 95% of Chinese think it's heading in the right direction.

'Talent at the Top' means that only the brightest, most honest and idealistic people are admitted to politics–a policy they have not changed in 2200 years.

'Data in the Middle' means that every policy is tested, implemented, tracked, and optimized based on terabytes of data. The PRC is the world's largest consumer of public surveys.

'Democracy at the Bottom' means that ordinary people have the last say on everything. 3,000 honest amateurs from across the country assemble twice a year to check the stats and sign off on new legislation. Policies need a minimum of 66% popular support to become law. That's why 95% of Chinese say the country is on the right track.

'Why China Leads the World' shows how the epidemic accelerated the change of global leadership from America to China and examines China’s bigger, steadier economy, its leadership in science, stronger military, more powerful allies, and wider international support.

Crammed with charts, footnotes, and lengthy quotes, 'Why China Leads the World' is a profoundly disturbing book that helps you understand the tectonic shift and adapt to this new era–and even thrive in it.

Why does this matter? Because, by the end of 2021, there will be more hungry children, more poor, homeless, drug addicted, and imprisoned people in America than in China.