The Rabbi

A great read, though the early history dragged, or perhaps confused, as I was not able to keep all the dynasties straight. Interestingly, Beijing and Washington commonly share the purpose behind their selection as capitals. It's all politics, not economics; keeping both the northerners and the southerners happy requires geographical compromise, same for David's selection of Jerusalem.
The authors captured my attention in three areas: the red guard revolution, the tiananmen square incident, and the current economic boom.
The red guards destroyed, one way or the other, all progressive thought, setting the country back 10 years, if not a whole generation. I am challenged here, how does an organization allow for liberal thought, while concurrently keep the system moving in the "right" direction. To deny questioning dooms to failure, to follow leads to heresy. It's a risky business that our God is in, when he gives responsibility over to man. Yet he does, and somehow we are going in his direction in spite of ourselves.
Li and the others concisely described the tiananmen incident, rebels following in Mao's footsteps but yet murdered by the party; again, the system is always right. We may rebel against others, but you may not rebel against us. It's sad that the negotiators were not able to work out the necessary compromise, so that so many young people did not have to lose their lives. This reminds me of Jesus on the way to cross, no compromise here. There is a lot going on here that needs discussion. Perhaps someday.
The authors fascinated me no end as they transitioned from tiananmen square to prosperity. I guess I missed the glue; how do the two relate? Did the first influence the second? Is China better off now than then? Money, certainly it has filtered down farther than ever, more cars, more toys, more pollution, more corruption. wow reminds me of the good old usa.