How Asia Works [Paperback]

Named by Bill Gates as one of his Top 5 Books of the Year
AnEconomistBest Book of the Year

In the 1980s and 1990s many in the West came to believe in the myth of an East-Asian economic miracle, with countries seen as not just development prodigies but as a unified bloc, culturally and economically similar, and inexorably on the rise. InHow Asia Works, Joe Studwell distills extensive research into the economics of nine countries—Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, the Philippines, Vietnam, and China—into an accessible, readable narrative that debunks Western misconceptions, shows what really happened in Asia and why, and for once makes clear why some countries have boomed while others have languished. Impressive in scope,How Asia Worksis essential reading for anyone interested in a region that will shape the future of the world.

Praise forHow Asia Works:

“I found the book to be quite compelling. . . . Studwell’s book does a better job than anything else I’ve read of articulating the key role of agriculture in development. . . . A good read for anyone who wants to understand what actually determines whether a developing economy will succeed.”—Bill Gates, “Top 5 Books of the Year”

“Pithy, well-written and intellectually vigorous . . . Studwell’s thesis is bold, his arguments persuasive, and his style pugnacious. It adds up to a highly readable and important book.”—Financial Times

“Provocative. …How Asia Worksis a striking and enlightening book … A lively mix of scholarship, reporting and polemic.”—The Economist

Very readable.... A fascinating and thoroughly deep account. —Bloomberg Radio

“Gripping … Readers will find Studwell’s informative and balanced report eye-opening.”—Publishers Weekly