This 2024 book by Michael Sheridan on Xi Jin Ping gives readers a brisk romp through the life of Xi.
But it is very selective in its topics. One won’t read of Xi’s achievements to eradicate poverty in China, the tremendous progress in China’s science and education, or the space achievement.
There is also no mention of the self-indulgent trip to Taiwan by Nancy Pelosi. This trip has upset the delicate policy of ambivalence vis a vis Taiwan practised by both US and China.
It resulted in China practicing an invasion of Taiwan.
What we have are the bad things about Xi. To that extent, this book is not a balanced view. Worse, it has zero footnotes to support all the damning expose.
One is reminded of the book Mao by Jung Chang and her husband Jon Halliday. It has many footnotes. Her book was challenged by many reputable historians as a hatchet job on Mao.
There is even a book containing essays by these historians challenging her views and disputing her footnotes.
Perhaps for this reason, this book has no footnotes. It is a pity.