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Apple in China

The Capture of the World's Greatest Company

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Apple in China

By: Patrick McGee
Narrated by: Fred Sanders
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 *** THE NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER ***

‘Absolutely riveting’ Peter Frankopan, author of The Silk Roads
‘Disturbing and enlightening’ Chris Miller, author of Chip War
‘Hugely important’ Rana Foroohar, author of Makers and Takers
‘A once-in-a-generation read’ Robert D. Kaplan, author of Waste Land

As Trump wages a tariff war with China, seeking to boost domestic electronics manufacturing, this book offers an unparalleled insight into why his strategy is embarrassingly naïve.

Apple isn’t just a brand; it’s the world’s most valuable company and creator of the 21st century’s defining product. The iPhone has revolutionized the way we live, work and connect. But Apple is now a victim of its own success, caught in the middle of a new Cold War between two superpowers.

On the brink of bankruptcy in 1996, Apple adopted an outsourcing strategy. By 2003 it was lured to China by the promise of affordable, ubiquitous labour. As the iPod and iPhone transformed Apple’s fortunes, their sophisticated production played a seminal role in financing, training, supervising and supplying Chinese manufacturers – skills Beijing is now weaponizing against the West.

Investigative journalist Patrick McGee draws on 200 interviews with former Apple executives and engineers to reveal how Cupertino’s choice to anchor its supply chain in China has increasingly made it vulnerable to the regime’s whims. Both an insider’s historical account and a cautionary tale, Apple in China is the first history of Apple to go beyond the biographies of its top executives and set the iPhone’s global domination within an increasingly fraught geopolitical context.
©2025 Patrick McGee (P)2025 Simon & Schuster UK Economic History Economics History History & Culture Politics & Government China War Technology
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What a fascinating insight into the world of Apple. I only hope that it’s not too late for them to change course.

Very interesting read

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Well written, extremely well researched and source and just plain interesting . Excellent book for anyone interested in Apple, tech, china or even just supply chains and manufacturing in general. As an Apple enthusiast, I found this to be extremely interesting and engaging. Although between this and Careless People which I read before this, some of the shine has definitely come off these companies. As you understand the ethical trade-offs these companies make in pursuit of margins, it’s hard not to. Would recommend this for anyone interested in tech or geo politics.

What an insightful book! Had no idea about the depth and breadth of Apple’s involvement in China

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Wonderful narrative of how Apple grew.

Amazing rendition of its dependence on China.

Frightening and eye opening conclusion.

One of the books ever

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A well argued case with facts, figures and first hand accounts to back it up. It could have been a chapter or two less with better editing but overall it was still engaging and and makes you think long and hard. Highly recommended and great narration!

Thoroughly enjoyable read - a big long winded

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