This is an extraordinary inquire into Xi Jinping’s desires for China and its role in the world in coming years. Magnus is closely connected to Oxford University’s China Centre, but has also been a consultant in the Banking world, an adviser to some asset management companies, and a knowledgeable reference for British media. This could be the most complete and provocative publication on China available today because of issues it raises without tripping off into doctrinaire proclivities.He looks at the battle between democratic liberalism and authoritarianism, the imagery of western society as open, democratic, and progressive and Xi Jinping’s authoritarian shutting down of China’s liberalizing reforms in recent years described as well by other China specialists, and sees the latter as an appealing model to more and more counties as authoritarianism rises world wide.*He plays this theme out against the prevailing distrust of China’s neighbors in a historical context and the appealing offers of investment and construction under Xi’s One Belt One Road recovery of the ancient Silk Road all intertwined in one of the most complete descriptions of China’s strengths and failings you are likely to find anywhere today; not predictions but a hard analysis of driving forces facing China’s unique political and economic system.That is a basket full -- but the bulk of the book is aimed at the lingering and often repeated theme that China is on the brink of Collapse. He takes the three major themes offered by critics: The rising Debt, percentages that have caused other economies to fail (The Debt Trap – Ch. 4), The Old Before Rich occurrence (Demographic (Aging) Trap – Ch.6), and the well supported stalling of development elsewhere (Middle-Income Trap – Ch. 7), then adds a topic only a Banking specialist might notice (The Renminbi Trap – Ch. 5).You will know the arguments but also the necessary conditions of any one of these ‘Traps’ or combinations of them to derail China’s development. That is a rich, but never doctrinaire treatment and knowing there are some serious unknowns lying ahead (it is a technical subject).** As the title indicates Xi Jinping has some hard years ahead if not derailed along the way by lingering opposition groups or current events.This is a very worthwhile read. George Magnus takes these heavy topics and turns them into ‘a page turner,’ an expression reviewer’s love, but here true. He happens to know his subject and wants to share it with his readers. Insightful, time may prove him correct in his warnings he was an early alert on the 2007-7 Financial Crisis.5stars* Carl Minzner, End of an Era: How China’s Authoritarian Revival is Undermining Its Rise and William H. Overholt, China’s Crisis of Success both share Magus’ theme that China has difficult time ahead but for somewhat different reasons. They are additive if interested and all well written.** A suggestion click on the first footnote and scan the offerings for the chapter as an introduction to what is to come, some you will want to open and look at the originals.