"The three visits to China that we have made over a thirteen-year period – the first, as a guest of the Chinese government, the other two under predominantly private auspices – together constitute one of the most fascinating experiences of our life. By chance, the visits were so dated that they gave us the opportunity to observe an unprecedented natural experiment – the introduction of free-market elements into a communist command society. Fortunately, the arrangements for our visits enabled us to travel widely, and equally important, to speak – mostly through interpreters – with Chinese from the top of the ruling hierarchy to the bottom of the social scale. We are not China experts but we have had a unique opportunity to observe in practice what we have long preached in theory – the efficacy of free-market arrangements in promoting both prosperity and freedom." –excerpt from Two Lucky People, p. 516