A Concise History of China
The centuries-long complexity of China’s political experience, the richness of its culture, and the drama of its economic unfolding are the hallmarks of this short but sweeping history. China’s own history is entwined with its response to the West in a rich tapestry depicting its peoples, rulers, and society. More than a nuanced history of a vast continent, this study is sensitive to the multifaceted and changing interpretations of China that have been offered over the years. In this overarching book, J. A. G. Roberts refers to recent archeological finds-the caches of bronze vessels found at Sanxingdui-and to new documentary reevaluations-the reassessment of Manchu documentation. The first half of the book provides an up-to-date interpretation of China’s early and imperial history, while the second half concentrates on the modern period and provides an interpretive account of major developments-the impact of Western imperialism, the rise of Chinese Communism, and the record of the People’s Republic of China since 1949. Concise and direct, this book is a compelling narrative and handy companion for anyone interested in China.This compact and accessible book successfully condenses four millennia of Chinese history into 300 pages. J.A.G. Roberts of Huddersfield University leads the reader through the chronological framework, adding sufficient detail and anecdote to provide color and texture. His writing is clear and punchy: every sentence counts. The index is thoughtful, the book’s 10 maps helpful. Though the emphasis is on political history, economic and social developments are also described; for example, the introduction of a strain of rice from central Vietnam that allowed a significant expansion in population under the Song. The first half of the book takes the story to the beginning of the 19th century; the second half analyzes the modern period in more detail (this is probably a useful division for most readers, though a Chinese historian would have laid more equal emphasis on each dynastic period). The author has incorporated the latest scholarship, such as changing views on the status of women during the Song–their freedoms were not as restricted as was once thought. He uses newly translated Manchu sources to show that Qing successes owed as much to the dynasty’s non-Han characteristics as to sinicization–a reversal of conventional wisdom–and approaches the dynamics of China’s response to the West from a more Chinese viewpoint than is usual. A Concise History of China is an up-to-date and extremely useful introduction to a highly complex subject. –John Stevenson
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Chinese Learn,
This is certainly one of the best and, obviously, concise pieces of work which attempts to convey the long history of a massive country. Roberts style is friendly and quite readable and will definitely point out areas of Chinese history in which you will want to delve more deeply. It works as a great starter point for all those who wish to learn more about or know nothing about Chinese history. Bear in mind that it is only an abridged version of a complex subject, and it may leave you wanting more information. An enjoyable informative read.
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|An Introduction for the 21st century,
J.A.G. Roberts’ A Concise History of China is an introduction to China for a China ready to join the World Trade Organization. China is not an enigna or special case, but a microcosm of the world as a whole. Roberts’ contribution is, that he undermines the notion of a unified Chinese culture or region.
Roberts most memorable chapters recount the disparate states which rose and fell, some contemporaneously, and the foreign influences always ar work on them. China is revealed as a continent of many nations, not as a monolithic and eternal concept.
Roberts’ book is also well balanced, and his chapters, instead of following dynastic changes, roughly divide Chinese history into equal time periods. His polemical acumen is considerable, and his chapters are full pf debates between Western and modern Chinese historians. If there is one period where his skills are lacking, it is the immediate past, and the last pages are disappointing.
This is a relevant introduction to Chinese history, that places China historically in the world, and within its own worlds.
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|Excellent, but Skewed Toward the 20th Century,
I’d certainly recommend it, but be aware that it’s a lot more detailed for the 20th c. than for say pre-Ming China. It’s a little deceptive to describe this book as “successfully condens[ing] four millennia of Chinese history into 300 pages.” Pages 1-78 cover all of Chinese history from the prehistoric period to the end of the T’ang in AD 907. By p. 162 we’re well into the 19th century. On page 201 we enter the 20th century for good. Though the author makes an admirable effort to write a history of China that doesn’t see all of Chinese history as leading up to a “failure” in “competition” with the West, while one must admit that the evidence is more controversial the further back one goes, and as his handling of the earlier periods is good and useful within the limits he’s set himself, it leaves one wishing there were more detail and scope. The last 140 pages seem like an excellent closing chapter to a comprehensive history of China, and the first 160 like an excellent Concise history.
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