The Avoidable War offers a strategy for managing U.S.-China competition without catastrophic conflict. Kevin Rudd, former Australian Prime Minister and longtime student of China who holds a doctorate in Chinese studies, draws on decades of engagement with leaders in both countries to assess whether war is inevitable. Rudd argues that while the relationship is deeply competitive, conflict is not predetermined—if both sides adopt what he calls 'managed strategic competition.' The book provides detailed analysis of Chinese strategic thinking, American interests and capabilities, and the flashpoints—Taiwan, the South China Sea, technology—where conflict could erupt. Rudd is clear-eyed about the dangers: miscalculation, nationalism, and structural pressures push toward confrontation. But he insists that skilled diplomacy, clear communication about red lines, and careful management of crises can preserve peace. The book benefits from Rudd's unusual position: a Western leader who speaks Mandarin, has met Xi Jinping repeatedly, and understands both American and Chinese perspectives from the inside. For readers seeking to understand the defining geopolitical relationship of the coming decades, Rudd provides informed analysis from someone who has operated at the highest levels of international diplomacy.