In this sweeping history, bestselling author Amy Chua explains how globally dominant empires—or hyperpowers—rise and why they fall. In a series of brilliant chapter-length studies, she examines the most powerful cultures in history—from the ancient empires of Persia and China to the recent global empires of England and the United States—and reveals the reasons behind their success, as well as the roots of their ultimate demise.Chua's analysis uncovers a fascinating historical pattern: while policies of tolerance and assimilation toward conquered peoples are essential for an empire to succeed, the multicultural society that results introduces new tensions and instabilities, threatening to pull the empire apart from within. What this means for the United States' uncertain future is the subject of Chua's provocative and surprising conclusion.

艾米·蔡（Amv Chua），美国耶鲁法学院华裔教授，畅销书《火焰上的世界》（World on Fire）的作者，也是国际贸易，种族斗争和全球化领域的著名专家。她和丈夫，三个女儿一起生活在康涅狄格州的纽黑文市。