The imminent collapse of the People's Republic of China has been foretold for years. Just as often, though, it has been predicted to be future ruler of the world. But despite the endless stream of soothsayers, there has been no single book that pulls together the whole of the China story, linking its very disparate elements to present a coherent portrait that explains what China is and why it matters so much.

In this compelling and lucid account based on years of research and first-hand experience, rooted in on-the-ground reporting, interviews, observations, analysis of data and a viewpoint that sees the country from the inside out, Jonathan Fenby links the myriad features of today's rapidly evolving China. "Fast-moving, informed, and illuminating" (The Guardian), Tiger Head, Snake Tails brilliantly demonstrates that the binary approach so often applied to China -- the country is either good or bad, set to reach the stars or collapse in chaos -- often boils down to the prejudices of its authors. By seeing China as a whole -- especially its history and involvement with the West -- and connecting the dots, Jonathan Fenby intelligently looks into its future, both internally and in its impact on the rest of the world.