Discussion with "China After Mao" author Frank Dikötter
Books and Insight with Frank Lavin
Release Date: 03/25/2024
Mark Clifford, President of the Committee for Freedom in Hong Kong Foundation
Books and Insight with Frank Lavin
Frank Lavin talks about human rights in Hong Kong and China with Mark Clifford, , and author of “T.” Mark also recommends the memoirs of political prisoner Wei Jingshen, “” and Fyodor Dostoevsky’s “” - given that some say Jimmy Lai has the “soul of a Russian poet.”
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Ken Wilcox, the former CEO of Silicon Valley Bank
Books and Insight with Frank Lavin
Frank Lavin talks about doing business in China with , the former CEO of Silicon Valley Bank, who went on to run the SVB joint venture in China, the story of which resulted in his insightful book, “.” Beyond his book, Ken also recommends “” by Desmond Shum and “” by Bethany Allen for those interested in a deeper reading of the challenges U.S. businesses face in China.
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Bucky Apisdorf, President and CEO of Let’s Do Something
Books and Insight with Frank Lavin
Frank Lavin talks about the mid-east with Bucky Apisdorf, President and CEO of the Israeli charity, , formed after the tragic attacks of Oct 7, 2023. We discuss how this calamity affected Israel, the Palestinians, and prospects for peace. Bucky recommend’s Herman Wouk’s magisterial novels of World War II, “” and “”
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Anil Ananthaswamy, Author Of Why Machines Learn
Books and Insight with Frank Lavin
Frank Lavin talks with , journalist and author to discuss the role of artificial intelligence. We discuss Anil’s book, “” which examines machine learning and the origins of AI, and we learn of Anil’s recommendation of Anil Seth’s “.”
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Jonathan Martin, Senior Political Writer, Politico
Books and Insight with Frank Lavin
Frank Lavin talks with Jonathan Martin, Senior Political Writer, Politico, to discuss the 2024 presidential race and what Harris and Trump each need to do in the final stretch. We also discuss Jonathan’s book, “,” as well as Richard Ben Cramer’s masterpiece of the 1988 presidential campaign, “.” At least one swear word in this episode. If you need more than that, you can listen again.
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Richard Fontaine, CEO of the Center for New American Security
Books and Insight with Frank Lavin
Frank Lavin talks with , CEO of the , to discuss why the U.S. should shift from a Europe-oriented foreign policy to an Asia-oriented one. We review recent developments in U.S.-Asia policy in a discussion of Richard’s book, “,” written with Robert Blackwill. Richard also recommends David Fromkin’s, “,” a look at the collapse of the Ottoman Empire at the end of World War I, with implications for the Mideast of today.
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Jason Hsu from the Kennedy School of Government
Books and Insight with Frank Lavin
Frank Lavin talks with from the Kennedy School of Government, discussing semiconductors and Taiwan-China-U.S. relations. Appropriately, Jason’s book recommendation is Thomas Schelling’s, , the classic work of deterrence theory and Sun Tzu’s .
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Alexander Downer, Former Foreign Minister of Australia
Books and Insight with Frank Lavin
Frank Lavin discusses the Indo-Pacific region with Alexander Downer, former Foreign Minister of Australia. We discuss China, AUKUS, India, Indonesia, Ukraine - and most consequentially, the role of the U.S. The book we discuss is by Jonathan Haidt.
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Renee DiResta, Internet Disinformation Analyst
Books and Insight with Frank Lavin
Frank Lavin talks with , Internet disinformation analyst. How does misinformation and disinformation travel so rapidly on the Internet and what steps can be taken to push back? How will this affect U.S. elections or U.S. support for Ukraine? Books discussed include , Peter Pomerantsev’s and Annalee Newitz’s .
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Alexander Radwan, Member of the German Bundestag (Parliament)
Books and Insight with Frank Lavin
Frank Lavin talks with , Member of the German Bundestag (Parliament). Alexander formerly served in the Bavarian state Parliament and in the European Parliament, all of which makes him well-grounded in national, regional, and international issues. The discussion includes Russia’s war in Ukraine, the success and future of the European Union, anti-Israel and pro-Hamas protests on U.S. campuses, and immigration. Books discussed include Ian Kershaw, and Theo Waigel, . This visit was supported by the and the .
info_outlineFrank Lavin meets with noted Chinese historian Frank Dikötter to discuss his latest book, "China After Mao" and to examine China's economic record in the post-Mao era.
Books discussed
Red Roulette, by Desmond Shrum
China After Mao, by Frank Dikotter