“Riveting.”—Tunku Varadarajan, Wall Street Journal

“Comprehensive and scholarly as one might expect from an economics professor at MIT. . . . [Huang’s] wry dedication—‘to the autocrats of the world. They give us so much to write about’—says it all.”—James Crabtree, Financial Times

“The rigours of imperial China’s civil-service examination system . . . are described in a new book by Yasheng Huang. . . . Arguing that the exams stifled innovation in ancient times, Professor Huang sees lessons for Xi Jinping’s China.”—The Economist

A Foreign Affairs Best Book of 2023

“One of those lamentably rare books that ask the really big questions, and that offer pretty bold original ideas about how and why China is the way that it is.”—Kaiser Kuo, China Project

“This book is a sweeping inquiry that both China scholars and a general audience will value—not the least for Dr. Huang’s wit, colorful observations, and direct style. . . . It is a must-read for anyone seeking a deeper understanding of China today and where it is headed.”—Ann Scott Tyson, Christian Science Monitor

“Besides its breathtakingly original, brilliant and insightful theoretical argument, Huang’s book is also notable for its methodological virtuosity. It makes use of extensive comparative examples and robust statistical analysis to illustrate how the introduction of an institution has fundamentally altered Chinese history. Written in elegant and accessible style, this book will be a perfect textbook for both graduate and undergraduate students. . . . An instant classic and an inspiring example of theoretical ambition and scholarly excellence.”—Minxin Pei, China Quarterly

“A compelling and easily digestible argument.”—Brad Glosserman, Japan Times

“Thought-provoking . . . illuminating. This book is a good example of how social sciences and historical investigations can provide useful insights into governance, economics, and politics that a less interdisciplinary approach would miss.”—Xiang Gao, Australian Outlook

“This is by far the best book on Chinese bureaucracy I have read, and probably one of the best books on China period.”—Tyler Cowen, Marginal Revolution (blog)

“[The book] offers a careful analysis of these questions that distinguishes it from the biased and predictable speculations of many commentators.”—Krzysztof Tyszka-Drozdowski, American Conservative

“This is the sort of book that academia too rarely produces: a daring and absorbing . . . attempt to answer a vitally important question at the heart of one of the oldest, most important polities in world history, and one on whose future that of all humanity will largely turn.”—Scott M. Moore, Journal of Asian Studies

“Yasheng Huang has written one of the decade’s great China books. It is a deeply rich book, a product of a career of reflections that pairs . . . gripping anecdotes and systematic thinking, with each page delivering something novel and provocative that will leave every reader smarter and more thoughtful about China.”—Jordan Schneider, ChinaTalk (podcast)

“This is a big idea book; it is bold, sweeping. It covers hundreds of years in terms of history, and it makes . . . very interesting conclusions.”—Ilaria Mazzocco, Center for Strategic & International Studies

“An extraordinary book. . . . Interdisciplinary, . . . provocative.”—Robert Daly, Woodrow Wilson Center

“An engaging and informative book that blends historical resonance with modern China, and highlights the more alarming idiosyncrasies and risks of Xi’s China.”—George Magnus, author of Red Flags: Why Xi’s China Is in Jeopardy

“An extraordinary, innovative argument for a key question: Why has China’s autocratic system proved so sustainable? Paying particular attention to China’s traditional examination system, Huang provides a powerful new explanation.”—Rana Mitter, author of China’s Good War: How World War II Is Shaping a New Nationalism