Knowledge of Asian business is dominated by conventional wisdom, much of which has achieved the status of myth. Bestselling author Michael Backman has researched beneath the surface to reveal the things that you need to know about Asian business and society. Using a wealth of examples, case studies and anecdotes, he provides a revealing and unconventional picture based around key business themes. Business, business culture and culture are entwined to draw the reader from the outside into becoming an Asian insider. Written in the author's direct, sharp style, The Asian Insider is a fascinating read for anyone wishing to get to grips with Asian business and understand how Asia really works.

the unoffical guide to Asia
Anyone interested in the Asian region should get this book: students, business people, researchers etc. This book breaks away from all academic textbooks, which tend to have a "cleaned-up" picture of Asian business and avoid the practical issues of doing business in Asia that an ordinary person might come across while doing business there. This non-academic book, and indeed all books by Michael Backman, will give you fresh insights of business in Asia, as well the cultures there. For me this book was full of surprises, for example I did not know that prostitution was illegal in Thailand but legal (under some conditions) in Singapore. My textbook-knowledge of either country suggested otherwise. Another interesting fact he brings up is that there are more Muslims in Asia than there are in the Middle East, and he questions the stereotypical image we have of Muslims - who should represent Muslims he asks? A fundamentalist middle eastern country or a country like Indonesia where a woman was elected president? Or perhaps Malaysia, where a higher percentage of women hold top-positions in companies than women do in most Western countries. Safe to say, this book will clear up some of the stereotypical notions you might have of this diverse region,as well as provide you with some practical business knowledge relevant to people doing business there. I highly recommend all his books.