What can history tell us about China's current global ambitions?

Howard French will be here to talk about his new book, Everything Under the Heavens.

In international relations theory and political science, there's something called realism

and realism that says that powers speak to maximize their power.

How can books help prepare us for death and grieving?

Our help desk columnist, Judith Newman, will be here to talk about the latest books on

coping with loss.

As a writer, you like the idea that you can work your way out of a difficult situation

by storytelling.

Plus, we'll talk about what we and the wider world are reading.

This is Inside the New York Times Book Review.

I'm Pamela Paul.

Howard French joins us now.

His latest book is called Everything Under the Heavens.

How the past helps shape China's push for global power and it's reviewed this week

on the cover of the New York Times Book Review.

Howard, thanks for being here.

Great to speak with you, Pamela.

So let's start with the title because there's a reference here that American readers might

not necessarily get.

What does that mean, everything under the heavens?

Ken Shah is a classical concept of Chinese geopolitics and power.

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