Dear Media Contact,
Thank you for your inquiry. If you’re interested in reviewing any of the books for your publication, please contact us for a potential free review copy.
A two-paged, double-spaced write up (found below) articulates what the book is about and why it should be read. I hope you find the contents fascinating and uniquely presented. I truly believe you will find the design and articulation of the topics unlike any book you have read in this genre.
I have written on this topic for years and am passionate about the material. The next book in this series, “China’s Power Grab and Expanding Claims”, was published in February 2021. The third and fourth books in this series, “Diploacy with Chinese Characteristics” and “Belts and Roads Under Beijing’s Thumb” have been recently published in July 2021. After that, I will be writing and publishing a series on genocide, concentration camps, Uyghur Muslims, and the reasons for and implications of boycotting the Beijing 2022 Olympics.
As a retired college professor, dedicated author, and motivational speaker, I am eager to see what you think about the research I have been conducting for the past three years at Harvard and the University of Chicago.
Please see the highlights section of this website and visit awakenednow.com for more information about this book and my upcoming series.
The book is illustrated by a dedicated artist and images of all cover and interior art are available upon request.
Respectfully submitted,
Rachel A. Winston, Ph.D.
Inch-by-inch China has inserted itself into the South China Sea, aggressively overpowering and blatantly threatening states, fisheries, oil drilling, commerce, and navigation. Despite its claim of win-win diplomacy, China has overtaken islands, rammed foreign ships, capsized fishing vessels, thwarted drilling, and moved forcefully into the backyards of every regional state. The South China Sea is a tinderbox waiting to explode and “Raging Waters” explains why.
Long before China reneged on an agreement with the United States and overtook Scarborough Shoal in 2012, China took slow and subtle steps to invade the South China Sea in small ‘salami slice’ maneuvers. However, the Scarborough Shoal Standoff and China’s snatching of the Philippine Island was no small move. Scarborough Shoal is as large as Miami and the South China Sea is as large as the Mediterranean, Baltic, and Black Seas combined. In “Raging Waters” all of these are depicted in color-coded maps.
Even after the Philippines took China to the International Court of Justice and ruled that China did not have a right to that island or the other islands China has taken in states’ Exclusive Economic Zones, China continued to press forward. In 2020, China was so aggressive that a number of states around the world have moved their vessels into the South China Sea. There is no doubt that this is a flashpoint waiting to happen.
“Raging Waters” is unlike other books on the subject. First, the book is in color. Second, the book is divided into subtopics that are easily read. Third, there are dozens of images – maps, charts, and timelines. Fourth, the research is thorough, while still being written for the layperson.
Developed from graduate school theses completed for both Harvard and the University of Chicago, this book investigates the background, events, and challenges in the South China Sea.
There is no doubt that competition between the two superpowers – the United States and China – will continue throughout this decade with China’s increasing global influence, economic growth, and military expansion. There is also little doubt that China will continue to overpower other sovereign states. Though Hong Kong was not a sovereign country, anyone watching China march into Hong Kong and impose its frightening laws and cripple its people should be scared. Anyone watching China encroach on India and kill its soldiers should be frightened. Anyone watching China declare a 2021 law stating that China can remove structures and vessels from Chinese territory (which by international law do not belong to China) should be alarmed.
Understanding the South China Sea in an easy to understand, clearly articulated, and visually represented way is imperative and “Raging Waters” does all of these. This book explains a largely misunderstood topic that is likely to impact people everywhere. Not only has China built military fortresses dotted throughout a region that international law says it has no jurisdiction, the People’s Liberation Army Navy has become increasingly aggressive.
For environmentally concerned citizens, “Raging Waters” also includes a discussion on the creation of artificial islands, destruction of coral reefs, and impact on climate change. The message is urgent; people need to understand what is happening. The enormous impact on coral habitats, marine life, and ocean acidification is nearly unfathomable. Furthermore, the depletion of fish on an extraordinary scale is not just a concern for Southeast Asian countries but for everyone. With massive numbers of fish hauled out of the South China Sea, some worry if there will be any left in a decade. “Raging Waters” also includes the impact of Chinese money and the morality of killing the environment while paying off major players in the environmental movement.
Social media offers Chinese netizens with a growing platform to influence the hearts and minds of global citizens. China’s propaganda arm has ‘Twitter Fingers’ influencing people worldwide, even as Twitter is banned in its own country. Beijing’s ‘Wolf Warrior’ diplomats comb the internet, stamping out anything derogatory related to China and changing the context of discussions on global platforms into reconfigured CCP messaging.
Today’s events determine tomorrow’s actions. “Raging Waters” grounds readers into a foundational understanding of today’s global political landscape. The time is now for conscientious citizens to read this compelling, fact-filled book.
South China Sea Books 