Books House of Huawei: The Secret History of China's Most Powerful Company Book by Eva Dou

"House of Huawei: The Secret History of China's Most Powerful Company" by Eva Dou is a meticulously researched exposé that traces Huawei's rise from a small Shenzhen startup to a global telecommunications titan deeply intertwined with Chinese state power. The book centers on Huawei's founder, Ren Zhengfei, whose military background and experiences during the Cultural Revolution greatly influenced the company's aggressive "wolf culture," marked by ambition and resilience.

Dou reveals how Huawei operates in a complex space between private enterprise and state influence. Its governance is opaque, shaped significantly by internal Communist Party committees and an employee stock ownership model. The company’s rapid global expansion, particularly in high-risk markets such as Iran and Libya, along with its technological leadership in 5G development, are highlighted. The detention of Ren’s daughter, Meng Wanzhou—Huawei’s CFO—in 2018 becomes a pivotal event illustrating the escalation of U.S.-China trade tensions and geopolitical struggles.

The narrative goes beyond a corporate biography to examine Huawei as a symbol of China's broader global ambitions, combining innovation, nationalism, strategic surveillance, and international power dynamics. Dou's book draws on extensive confidential documents and interviews, offering an unprecedented inside look at Huawei’s adaptations to sanctions and trade restrictions. It notably avoids sensationalism, providing a nuanced portrait of the symbiotic relationship between corporate growth and authoritarian governance in modern China.

Overall, "House of Huawei" serves as a vital resource for understanding the convergence of technology, state authority, and global politics through the lens of one of China’s most secretive and powerful companies.