Chip War

Chip War by Chris Miller is a gripping and meticulously researched exploration of the global struggle to control the microchip industry. With a plot that reads like a high-stakes thriller, this non-fiction work delves into the critical importance of microchip technology in shaping the power dynamics of the modern world.

The narrative spans several decades, illuminating the fierce competition between nations to dominate this vital sector. It unveils how the mastery of chip design and manufacturing has solidified America's position as a superpower, empowering its military, economic, and geopolitical prowess. Every facet of contemporary life, from automobiles and smartphones to financial markets and electrical grids, hinges on these minuscule marvels of engineering.

However, America's dominance is now being challenged. As Miller elucidates, the assumption that globalising chip production and relying on manufacturing hubs in Taiwan, Korea, and Europe would benefit America has proven precarious. The book details how China, recognising its immense dependency on foreign chips, has embarked on an ambitious, state-funded initiative reminiscent of the Manhattan Project to rival the US in chip technology. The stakes are sky-high, as semiconductor supremacy could redefine global power structures.

Miller's account is both an economic and historical masterpiece. He tells the captivating story of how the United States perfected chip design and how these technological advancements played a pivotal role in the Cold War, rendering the Soviet Union's precision-guided weapons obsolete. The book paints a vivid picture of the ongoing battle for microchip mastery and its profound implications for the future.

The importance of Taiwan in this global chess game is particularly striking. Producing 37 per cent of the world's chips and being within the reach of Chinese military power, Taiwan's strategic significance adds another layer of tension to the geopolitical landscape. The West's concern about China's potential manoeuvres in this regard adds a suspenseful edge to the narrative.

Reviews laud Miller's work for its riveting storytelling and in-depth analysis. The New York Times describes it as "pulse quickening" and likens it to a non-fiction thriller, blending elements of The China Syndrome and Mission Impossible. The Financial Times commends the book as "a riveting history" featuring vivid accounts and colourful characters. Forbes highlights Miller’s skill in bringing semiconductor history to life with well-chosen anecdotes. Renowned historian Niall Ferguson succinctly calls it "indispensable."

Winner of the Financial Times Business Book of the Year award, Chip War is an essential read for anyone interested in understanding the critical role of microchip technology in today's world and the high-stakes battle that will shape our future.