Over the past decade, the Chinese and U.S. economies have fused to become one integrated system. How these countries manage their relationship will determine whether the coming decades witness increased prosperity or greater instability. After 1989, the Chinese leadership adopted a policy of aggressive economic reform and courted U.S. companies and expertise. Economist Karabell charts how integral those companies--including Federal Express, Kentucky Fried Chicken, Avon, and Wal-Mart--have been to China's success and how integral China has been to their growth. Though accelerated by the admission of China to the World Trade Organization in 2001, the economies began to fuse without attracting much notice. Preoccupied with terrorism, the United States soon found itself deeply in debt to China while also reaping the rewards of China's growth. Now both countries find themselves in an unfamiliar and challenging position, as China begins to question the wisdom of that embrace.--From publisher description.

Superfusion -- Black cat, white cat -- The new economy and the not-so-new economy -- So good, you suck your fingers -- Avon comes calling -- Up, up, and away -- Free trade and its discontents -- Data duped -- Still waters, running deep -- Wow, Yao -- The Great Wall and the Gold Rush -- Benedict Arnold goes to Mississippi -- A not-so-harmonious rise -- The (in)glorious Olympics -- An idea whose time has come.