The Tragic Kingdom

Author: Broc Smith

ISBN 978-1-60264-415-1 (hardcover)

325 pages

The Tragic Kingdom, is a behind-the-scenes look into the field of design and build in China. The book is a profile of the personalities, culture, and psychology of the world's most massive looming superpower as seen through the eyes of an ex-pat American. Of all the places I could imagine as a kid, China was the worst. As far as intense childhood fears and phobias went, it ranked right up there with pirates and people who used guillotines- and never in my wildest imagination did I even think for one minute it would become my home. The policies of Deng Xiao Peng have opened a new chapter in China's long history and, in their effort to position China a contender in the global market, have created a searing vacuum of moral and professional ethics as understood by the Western mind, one in which theft of ideas is considered good business and babies die drinking fake milk. The stories and themes found in The Tragic Kingdom spring from one man's journey. At the same time I believe they disclose truths about a globalization that eventually will impact every economy, lifestyle, and person on the planet.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

I am a "hands-on designer" with over 20 years experience in theater before coming to Asia in 1992. I have lived and worked in China for over ten years, competing within their system and making my way as everything from a freelance artist in small operations to a senior designer for large corporations. I have witnessed a formidable decade in which China has commanded a modern presence on the world stage and have participated in the planning, designing, and building of mega-theme parks in Beijing, world-class aquariums in Shanghai, gigantic malls in the Pearl Delta, resorts in Tibet, and panda relocation projects in the foot-hills of the Himalayas.