Dan Wang’s forthcoming book, ‘Breakneck: China’s Quest to Engineer the Future,’ provides a groundbreaking perspective on the contrasting governance styles of China and the United States, as well as the barriers to mutual understanding between the two superpowers. Published by W.W. Norton & Company in 2025, the book merges Wang’s economic analysis from his years in China (2017–2023) with his personal experiences as a Canadian of Chinese descent educated in the US. Wang’s unique background allows him to offer a balanced view of the two nations, free from the hostility that often characterizes their relationship. He describes China as an ‘engineering state,’ driven by rapid construction and technological advancement, while portraying the US as a ‘lawyerly society,’ marked by legal obstructionism. Wang argues that both countries are deeply flawed yet fundamentally alike in their ambition and restlessness. Through vivid anecdotes, such as his cycling trip through Guizhou, Wang highlights China’s rapid modernization and cultural richness. He also critiques the inefficiencies of the US legal system, using the stalled California high-speed rail project as a case study. Wang’s work calls for mutual curiosity and a new lens to understand the China-US rivalry, moving beyond outdated ideological labels. ‘Breakneck’ is set to release on August 26, 2025.