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“THE BOOK CHINA DOESN'T WANT YOU TO READ.”—CNN​ A riveting insider's story of how the Party and big money work in China today, by a man who, with his wife, Whitney Duan, rose to the zenith of power and wealth—and then fell out of favor. She was disappeared four years ago. News of this book led to a phone call from Whitney, proof that she's alive.As Desmond Shum was growing up impoverished in China, he vowed his life would be different. Through hard work and sheer tenacity he earned an American college degree and returned to his native country to establish himself in business. There, he met his future wife, the highly intelligent and equally ambitious Whitney Duan who was determined to make her mark within China’s male-dominated society. Whitney and Desmond formed an effective team and, aided by relationships they formed with top members of China’s Communist Party, the so-called red aristocracy, he vaulted into China’s billionaire class. Soon they were developing the massive air cargo facility at Beijing International Airport, and they followed that feat with the creation of one of Beijing’s premier hotels. They were dazzlingly successful, traveling in private jets, funding multi-million-dollar buildings and endowments, and purchasing expensive homes, vehicles, and art. But in 2017, their fates diverged irrevocably when Desmond, while residing overseas with his son, learned that his now ex-wife Whitney had vanished along with three coworkers. This is both Desmond’s story and Whitney’s, because she has not been able to tell it herself.

Red Roulette: An Insider's Story of Wealth, Power, Corruption, and Vengeance in Today's China is a gripping and eye-opening account of the inner workings of China's elite by Desmond Shum, a former high-flying financier who fell from grace after crossing paths with the country's most powerful men.

The book begins with Shum's humble beginnings in rural China and his rise to the top of the financial world. He details his experiences working for some of China's largest and most prestigious companies, including Citicorp and China Everbright, and his interactions with some of the country's most influential figures, including former President Jiang Zemin and his son, Jiang Mianheng.

Shum's story is a tale of greed, corruption, and power. He describes a world where fortunes are made and lost overnight, where government officials are bought and sold, and where personal relationships are used to further business interests. He also reveals the dark side of China's economic miracle, including the rampant pollution, the widening gap between rich and poor, and the growing threat to human rights.

Red Roulette is a must-read for anyone who wants to understand the real China. It is a fascinating and disturbing look at a country that is on the cusp of becoming a global superpower. Shum's story is a cautionary tale about the dangers of unchecked power and the importance of fighting for justice, even in the face of overwhelming odds.

Here are some of the key themes explored in Red Roulette:

• The corrupting influence of power and money
• The dangers of crony capitalism
• The widening gap between rich and poor in China
• The threat to human rights in China
• The importance of fighting for justice, even in the face of overwhelming odds

Red Roulette is a powerful and thought-provoking book that will stay with you long after you finish reading it. It is a must-read for anyone who wants to understand the real China.