Book review: China: the pessoptimist nation

The rise of China presents a long-term challenge to the world not only economically, but politically and culturally. In his recent book William Callahan explores China’s identity politics, focusing on the power dynamic between China and the rest of the world, and the concept of ‘national humiliation’ and the shared emotions of a nation. James Cuffe is highly impressed with Callahan’s work, concluding that it offers an important contribution to studies of Chinese national discourse. China: The Pessoptimist Nation. William A. Callahan. Oxford University Press. Paperback edition. February 2012.