Hamrin's book, based on interviews in China from 1985-87, plus a decade of experience in analyzing Chinese politics, displays a rare mastery of Chinese politics, decision-making processes and elite conflicts. There are rich insights into the origins of the systemic crisis of 1989. She discusses what she calls the two waves of reform (1979-82 and 1983-84) and the failure of the third wave in the year or two preceding Tienanmen Square. John Hsu explores the impact of the reforms on foreign trade and concludes that further reform of foreign trade is now dependent on further revisions in the economic system, particularly in prices. Klintworth stresses China's growing military power-particularly its growing naval reach. The next decade will see China's largest and most ambitious naval expansion since the Ming Dynasty.