​World-Traveled Author and Professor is Happy to be Home for Book Event

By Honey Murray

Though during any given week Joseph Torigian may be lecturing on international politics in the Netherlands or France, teaching at the School of International Service at American University in Washington, or advising diplomats as a Senior Fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations (a foreign policy think tank), he is truly happy when he is able to be back home in Metro Detroit, in Clawson.

“Whenever I’m not teaching or traveling,” Torigian shares, “I’m back in Michigan.”

Torigian finished his second book (noted as “Best of 2025”), The Party’s Interests Come First, in area coffee shops, including White Wolf – a favorite. He wrote some of his first book in a rented office above a Clawson nail salon.

“Being away from D.C. allows me to be patient and thoughtful,” explains Torigian, whose political affiliation is nonpartisan, “and, as a center associate of the Lieberthal-Rogel Center for Chinese Studies at the University of Michigan, I’m able to research at the university’s library – so I am also there a lot!”

With that research and his insight for his new book, Torigian tells the story of Xi Zhongxun, the father of Xi Jinping, President of the People’s Republic of China.

“China is so important and only getting more important, and I wanted to help people understand China.

“The book gives a sense of how Xi Jinping -- this powerful and, also, mysterious leader -- grew up: what he witnessed, what he went through...but also about what it was like for his father to be a member of the Communist Party in the twentieth century. Xi Zhongxun was a remarkable historical figure. He was a revolutionary and a leading figure in the regime. The Party’s Interests Come First describes the kind of country President Xi Jinping is leading and how the country got there.”

Torigian’s own story as a professor, researcher, and author began when he was a student at both Guardian Angels grade school and Brother Rice high school.

“Growing up Armenian and Irish, I learned about the Armenian Genocide and the Irish Potato Famine. With thirteen years of attending Catholic schools, I learned lots about social justice and its teachings.

“I studied French and Spanish at Brother Rice and took a wonderful class on European history from Dante Melotti, Jr. But, most importantly, was the opportunity to participate in the Model United Nations, which really got me interested in world affairs and taught me how to do research. From there, I went to U. of M., where I studied Chinese and Russian language and history and lived in Taiwan during my junior year.”

Torigian is excited to talk to people about the book, especially as a hometown event.

“I wanted a way for community members to come and learn about China,” says Torigian.

“Metro Detroit is an extremely diverse place, with immigrants from all over the world. We do business with people from all over the world, so it’s important for me to make this information available to anyone, especially if they’re interested in China.”

The event will begin at 1:30 PM on January 4 at Three Cats Restaurant (116 W. 14 Mile Rd. in Clawson) with an onstage conversation between Torigian and friend, Maura Cunningham. Questions and discussion will follow.

“I am curious to learn what readers think about the book and excited to share information about China and its leadership, its relation to American policy, and its effects not only on the world, but on our own unique Metro Detroit area.”

For more information about Joseph Torigian, you may visit his website at josephtorigian.com.