The strongest regional literature in this file. Studwell explains why some Asian economies developed and others did not, and the 1997 crisis produced a durable body of work on currency pegs, short-term dollar debt and family conglomerates.
Why some Asian nations grew rich: land reform, export-led industry, directed credit.
“it's a good read for anyone who wants to understand what actually determines whether a developing economy will succeed.” — Bill Gates
Source: Gates Notes review of How Asia Works
Recommended by: Bill Gates, Mohnish Pabrai, Patrick Collison
How East Asian governments' interventions helped produce rapid growth.
How the IMF handled the Asian and Russian crises of 1997 and 1998, from inside.
How Southeast Asia's tycoons got rich from political favours, not productivity.
How Jho Low diverted billions from Malaysia's 1MDB fund into parties and politics.
Recommended by: Alexis Ohanian, Alfred Lin and 5 others
Written straight after the 1997 crisis on opacity, related-party dealing and family control.
Country-by-country anatomy of the crisis, reform and recovery.
Southeast Asia's politics and conflicts, seen by a mediator at the negotiating table.
Bill Gatesrecommends 2 books here
Mohnish Pabrairecommends 1 book here
Alexis Ohanianrecommends 1 book here
Alfred Linrecommends 1 book here
Patrick Collisonrecommends 1 book here