Peaceful War: A Complete List of Praise

“A naturalized U.S. citizen, Professor Patrick Mendis epitomizes the American Dream as he openly and critically writes about inconvenient truths of the American experience; he is himself an authentic American message to Asia. A friend of China, he is a perceptive scholar-diplomat uniquely qualified to write a historical analysis of Sino-American relations more objectively than most observers. I enthusiastically recommend this book to Chinese audience to learn more about our own history from insightful and independent lenses.” —Professor TANG XIAOSONG, President, Center for American Studies, Guangdong University of Foreign Studies, Guangzhou, China

“Over the past three decades, China has experienced unprecedented economic growth that has lifted hundreds of millions of Chinese out of poverty. Leaders of a more prosperous China are eager to expand the country’s regional and global influence, raising questions about the future of Chinese-American relations. Patrick Mendis presents a timely and valuable examination of historical and contemporary Sino-American relations that strengthens readers’ knowledge of Chinese and American history, culture, and politics. His innovative work sheds light on the lengthy relationship between these two countries, using the American experience to elucidate some of the compelling internal challenges that lie ahead for the government and the people of China.” —Professor ERIC SCHWARTZ, Dean of the Hubert H. Humphrey School of Public Affairs, University of Minnesota, and former U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Population, Refugees and Migration

“No international strategic relationship is more important or more consequential than that between the United States and China—now and as far as we can reasonably see into the future. In Peaceful War, Patrick Mendis takes us well beyond the headlines we are all familiar with. All of that is here, but he also delves skillfully and artfully into the underlying cultural, historical, and social forces that will shape this relationship as both countries cope with their separate and very distinct challenges. Anyone seeking a holistic understanding of the Sino-U.S. relationship—and where it might be heading—should read this book.” —CIA Director JOHN MCLAUGHLIN, Distinguished Practitioner-in-Residence, Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies and former Deputy Director and Acting Director of the Central Intelligence Agency

“Patrick Mendis has luminously situated President Obama’s Asia pivot and the Trans-Pacific Partnership in a rich historical context of Sino-American relations that is often lost in geopolitical writing. It is an important contribution to improved understanding of both.” —Senator THOMAS DASCHLE, Former U.S. Senate Majority Leader, Distinguished Senior Fellow at the Center for American Progress, and author of Like No Other Time: The Two Years That Changed America

“Dr. Patrick Mendis’ unique strength in combining political economy and deep understanding of Asian civilizations has led him to present another landmark work comparing Chinese and American national discourses and the future of their relations. This book offers readers snapshots of transformations each country has undergone to illustrate their contemporary cooperation as well as destined competition. As China’s growth unfolds further, his book cautions Beijing and Washington to balance their dreams so as to assure a pacific world order.” —Professor SHEN DINGLI, Dean of the Institute of International Studies and Director of the Center for American Studies, Fudan University and author of What Kerry Should Tell China

“Patrick Mendis achieves a creative blend of historical thought with modern conceptions of citizenry to illustrate what could be one of the most effective, powerful, and instructive parallels of world history: the adoption of the American Dream by China. The author’s central claim is that China will inevitably have to accept a fair number of U.S. values in order to make its own Dream come true. While not a clash of civilizations, Mendis illuminates a conflict what he calls a ‘silent revolution’ that will bring out the best and worst of traditional and progressive groups as the world’s oldest civilization revitalizes in a never before seen manner. Meticulously researched, this unprecedented study of the evolving Sino-American relations is timely, levelheaded, and fair above all else.” —Senior Editor JOSH BARTHEL, HARVARD INTERNATIONAL REVIEW

“Dr. Patrick Mendis turns his sharp and creative mind to the U.S.-China relationship, applying a rare ability to relate social, cultural, and economic issues to broader national interests and political interactions. A keen analyst, a creative thinker, and a precise writer, Mendis offers insightful observations and thought-provoking policy frameworks to guide the Sino-American relationship.” —Ambassador SHAUN DONNELLY, Vice President of the U.S. Council for International Business, former U.S. Ambassador to Sri Lanka, and former Senior American Trade Negotiator at the White House’s Office of the U.S. Trade Representative

“Dr. Patrick Mendis’ new book is both timely and relevant as the center of gravity of global political and economic power moves inexorably from the Euro-Atlantic to the Asia-Pacific. Dr. Henry Kissinger observed that ‘American exceptionalism is missionary . . . Chinese exceptionalism is cultural.’ The relationship between these two giants will be the determining influence in international affairs for the foreseeable future and the scope for structures of peace to be built between them is analyzed through Mendis’ unique perspective and wide-angled vision.” —Ambassador JAYANTHA DHANAPALA, President of the Pugwash Conferences on Science and World Affairs, former UN Under-secretary-general, and former Sri Lankan Ambassador to the U.S.

 “Patrick Mendis masterfully examines challenges for the United States and China through historical, philosophical, and ideological differences and similarities. An important book that changes the way we think about these two superpowers.” —Dr. SHIRO ARMSTRONG, Australian National University and Editor of the East Asia Forum and author of The Politics and the Economics of Integration in Asia and the Pacific

“In Peaceful War, Patrick Mendis takes the reader on a journey made possible by his presence in two worlds: one American, one Asian. Using the experience of that dual presence, he analyzes the most important strategic relationship of the twenty-first century, China and the United States. It is a dazzling analysis, full of history, philosophy, ironic similarities and unusual distinctions, fears and hopes, but mostly dreams—the kind of dreams Mahatma Gandhi, Martin Luther King Jr., and Nelson Mandela dreamed. For that reason and more, Peaceful War is worth reading.” —Colonel LAWRENCE WILKERSON, Visiting Professor of Government and Public Policy, College of William and Mary and former Chief of Staff to U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell

“Professor Patrick Mendis tells a carefully researched narrative of Sino-American relations and provides a delightful glimpse into the future. Using a practical approach to history in describing the issues of our times, Mendis charts a path for the Pacific century that avoids the losses of wasteful conflict and instead develops positive engagement while allowing for respectful disagreement. This is a very useful book for both experts in the field of Sino-American studies and the general public.” —Professor NIU MEILI, Assistant Dean, School of Government, Sun Yat-sen University and Research Fellow of the Center for Chinese Public Administration Research

“As America pivots to Asia, China is pivoting south and east—expanding its American-style Manifest Destiny across the South China Sea, Indian Ocean, and the Silk Roads to Central Asia and the Middle East. In this engaging book, Patrick Mendis seamlessly links the domestic inspirations and geostrategic implications of two continental superpowers sharing the Pacific Ocean, with global stability at stake.” —Dr. PARAG KHANNA, Director of the Global Governance Initiative at the New America Foundation and author of How to Run the World: Charting a Course to the Next Renaissance

“The highest compliment a reader can give an author is to think: ‘I wish I’d said that.’ This imaginative and optimistic book provokes numerous responses of this sort. Mendis counsels historical awareness, cultural sensitivity, and humility as Americans peer across the Pacific to a China intent upon assuming its rightful place in the world. It’s hard to think of better advice.” —Dr. ROBERT M. HATHAWAY, Director of the Asia Program, Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars

“Many authors tend to explore some aspects of culture, philosophy, history, economics, and politics of China and the United States. Professor Patrick Mendis’ book depicts the interconnected links between and among these disciplines; but he does not stop there. His insightful observations shed new light on today’s China-U.S. relations and the future of Pacific world order. This makes his book particularly unique. More importantly, he presents a range of similarities between the two countries; both nations could learn to appreciate each other better.” —Professor CHUANJIE ZHANG, Director, Doctoral Program in Developing Country Studies and Resident scholar, Carnegie-Tsinghua Center for Global Policy, Tsinghua University

“In a premature search for the so-called ‘new type of great power relations’ between the United States and China, the Asia-Pacific region is fueled with fears of potential conflict and widespread of anxiety. In response, Dr. Patrick Mendis brilliantly articulates the linkage of cultural heritages and geostrategic realities between the two most influential countries in the twenty-first century. ‘Harmony’ cannot be reached without ‘consensus;’ ‘dreams’ can hardly come true without ‘liberty.’ In his new book, Dr. Mendis brings all students of international relations into a long journey of rational soul searching.” —Professor ALEXANDER C. HUANG, Professor of Strategy and War-gaming, Tamkang University (Taiwan) and Senior Associate at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, Washington, D.C.

“An intriguing and fascinating study of two exceptional nations and the path towards a new Pacific world order. I heartily recommended for all interested in Asia Pacific.” —Dr. NIKLAS SWANSTRÖM, Director of the Institute for Security and Development Study, Stockholm (Sweden) and author of Sino-Japanese Relations: Rival or Partner in Regional Cooperation

“With the debut of the Chinese dream concept, Dr. Patrick Mendis presents an innovative analysis that is wise, welcome, and timely. He uncovers philosophical convergences and divergences between the United States and China as both Pacific nations engage in unbridling competition. As a sage who grew up in Asian and American cultures, Dr. Mendis counsels the importance of cooperation over competition for a new Asia-Pacific order that benefits all stakeholders.” —Dr. WEI HONGXIA (VICTORIA), Research fellow of the Institute of American Studies at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, Visiting Scholar at Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, and co-author of U.S. Role in East Asia

“In this ambitious treatise, Dr. Patrick Mendis challenges the conventional wisdom that China and the United States represent two distinctly divergent sets of ideals, philosophies, and aspirations. Situating his discussion in the philosophical and historical contexts, Dr. Mendis makes a strong case as to why when it comes to the pivotal question of the ideals about governance, China and the United States indeed share as many similarities that bind the two together as the differences setting them apart. The result is a breakthrough that is powerful, inspiring, and visionary. Leaders and public alike concerned about the future trajectory of one of the most important bilateral relations in the world should read this book and heed Dr. Mendis’ wise counsel.” —Professor WANG DONG, Director of the Center for Northeast Asian Strategic Studies, Peking University

“Tackling two of the critical questions that will confront American leaders in the years ahead—what the “Chinese Dream” really is, and what this will mean for the Sino-American relationship—Patrick Mendis explores analogies and differences between the “American Dream” and the Chinese one. In doing so, Mendis not only raises profound questions about Confucian and classical republican notions of virtue, but probes the historically-rooted cultures of these two great Pacific nations and how these shape their ability to understand each other and work together. This book is an important guide for broader policy dialogue among strategic thinkers in both Beijing and Washington.” —Professor EDWARD RHODES, Dean of the School of Public Policy, George Mason University, and author of Global Politics