Asia Alone by Simon S.C. Tay John Wiley & Sons HK$200
The changing relationship between America and Asia in the aftermath of the global economic crisis is the focus of Simon Tay's book, which sees the bleak possibility of the two ending up divided. The US, its powers declining, has less political will to engage with Asia; Asia, its fortunes rising, is becoming more regional-minded and keen to go it alone. These trends, says Tay, are accelerating 'more quickly than either the Americans or Asians recognise and are ready for'. He stresses, however, that he does not see Asia's rise as inevitable but reliant on global peace and growth. Tay, a Singaporean commentator on international and public affairs, draws from his experiences in think tanks to tackle questions such as how much Asia needs America and vice versa. He fears opportunities and synergies lost in the event of a separation. His personal observations are a plus: in a section on continuing low consumer confidence in Japan, he notes the appeal of well-made but inexpensive goods even in Ginza and suggests the country adopt the Uniqlo formula of melding Japanese quality control with lower-cost production abroad.