Research Guides: Global Studies Faculty Seminars: James Fallows China Today

James Fallows' Blog

Below are some of his most recent entries.

The BU Connection

This photo was taken by Joan Hopkins in Jim's office in the Executive Office Buidling at the time when he was a speech writer for President Carter. In the photo you see Jim holding his son Tommy, Jim's wife Deborah and her uncle Josef Zderad. At the time Joe was one of our Reference Librarians. He also taught in the Writing Program.

More Articles on China by James Fallows

Be Nice to the Countries That Lend You Money - December, 2008
The article presents an interview with Chinese investor Gao Xiqing. When asked to explain stock market derivatives, he uses the analogy of mirror images. When asked about the U.S. financial market and the financial crisis, he responds that it is the most viable and the most predictable. Other topics include the Chinese presence in the U.S. economy, the role of the global economy, and the leverage of investment banks.

Atlantic Monthly Dec2008, Vol. 302 Issue 5, p62-65
Musical Chairs - March, 2009
The article presents a profile of the Beijing, China-based American financial expert and college professor Michael Pettis. Details are given describing his personal and professional life, citing both his influential financial commentary blog and his hobbies as a late-night rock and roll musician. The academic and artistic subcultures in China are also described in detail.

Altanic Monthly Mar2009, Vol. 303 Issue 2, p22-23
Interesting Times - April, 2009
The article discusses signs of depression in the Chinese economy. The author predicts China will see astronomic rates of unemployment, but will innovate its way out of depression comparing China's 2009 economy to that of the U.S during the Great Depression. Politically, the author sees the Chinese as grateful to be living in the 21st century.

Atlantic Monthly Apr2009, Vol. 303 Issue 3, p54-63
Village Dreamers - October, 2009
The article discusses the efforts of Brian Linden and Jeanee Quan, a couple who are raising home-schooled children in the town of Xizhou in the subtropical Yunnan province of southwestern China and working with Chinese officials to preserve the picturesque authenticity of the area. They are restoring a historical compound with wooden arches and painted murals which escaped destruction during the Cultural Revolution.

Atlantic Monthly Oct2009, Vol. 304 Issue 3, p25-26
Survivor: China - November, 2009
The article discusses possible harmful effects on visitors of poor air quality of Chinese cities.

Atlantic MonthlyNov2009, Vol. 304 Issue 4, p21-22
How America Can Rise Again - January / February, 2010
The article presents the author's opinion on the American cycle of crisis and renewal. He considers that America's declinism is woven into the culture beginning with a founding fathers of the U.S. He relates his time spent in China in which people there were preoccupied with the collapse of the U.S. financial system and it's inevitable decline.

Atlantic Monthly Jan/Feb2010, Vol. 305 Issue 1, p38-55
Cyber Warriors - March, 2010
When will China emerge as a military threat to the U.S.?In most respects the answer is: not anytime soon. China doesn't even contemplate a time it might challenge America directly. But one significant threat already exists: cyberwar.

Atlantic MonthlyMar2010, Vol. 305 Issue 2, p58-63

James Fallows - Postcards from Tomorrow Square

Postcards From Tomorrow Square
Atlantic Monthly Dec2006, Vol. 298 Issue 5, p100-112

Most of the material in James Fallows' book Postcards from Tomorrow Square was previously published in The Atlantic Monthly between 2006-2008.

Here are the links to these articles:

Mr. Zhang Builds His Dream Town.
Atlantic Monthly Mar2007, Vol. 299 Issue 2, p84-92
Win in China!
Atlantic Monthly Apr2007, Vol. 299 Issue 3, p72-78
China Makes, the World Takes
Atlantic Monthly Jul/Aug2007, Vol. 300 Issue 1, p48-72
Macau's Big Gamble
Atlantic Monthly Sep2007, Vol. 300 Issue 2, p96-105
The View from There
Atlantic Monthly Nov2007, Vol. 300 Issue 4, p118-126
The $1.4 Trillion Question
Atlantic Monthly Jan/Feb2008, Vol. 301 Issue 1, p36-48
The Connection Has Been Reset
Atlantic Monthly Mar2008, Vol. 301 Issue 2, p64-69
China's Silver Lining
Atlantic Monthly Jun2008, Vol. 301 Issue 5, p36-50
How the West Was Wired
Atlantic Monthly Oct2008, Vol. 302 Issue 3, p56-65.
There appears to be a typo in the title of the electronic version. In the book, the chapter title is How The West Was Wired.
Their Own Worst Enemy
Atlantic Monthly Nov2008, Vol. 302 Issue 4, p72-77