The Pacific Century: America and Asia in a Changing World

In this remarkably fluid synthesis of history, economics, politics and personal experience, Gibney, Asian editor of Encyclopedia Britannica and president of the Pacific Basin Institute, has produced a learned, sprightly guide to the countries of the Pacific. Conceived as a print companion for Public Broadcasting's TV program of the same name, the book travels seamlessly between ancient history and the modern era and traces the interactions of the West with the Orient, deftly bringing to life hundreds of the people who have played major historical roles. Gibney's wide-ranging analyses of current economic and political developments in China, Japan, Korea, Malaysia and Hong Kong--often critical of American and European policies--are temperate, persuasive and full of fresh insights into the cultures which are now moving to center stage in world affairs. Photos not seen by PW. (Nov.)