- ISBN13: 9780071412797
- Condition: NEW
- Notes: Brand New from Publisher. No Remainder Mark.
Product Description
A wonderful job! So lucid, beautfully written, with great range and insight. This will set a new standard for short general histories of China.
–Michael Gasster, professor emeritus of history at Rutgers University
Newly updated and revised, China: Its History and Culture, Fourth Edition, incorporates the crucial social and economic changes that have taken place in China over the last decade. Through rich detail and engaging illustrations, the book traces China’s history from Neolithic times to the present day.
China: Its History and Culture
I think the resons I gave it 4 stars is because in some parts it was confusing but in the most it was good. See I had a repport to write and the book realy stared me of with info.It was realy innteresting though.
Rating: 4 / 5
Like other reviews have said, this book is very clear, concise, and READABLE (especially considering that it is a history book). However, this is the first sentence of Chapter 1: “China, 3,600,000 square miles, is about the same size as the United States and SECOND ONLY TO RUSSIA IN AREA.” The last part of that sentence is stupidly wrong. It is a very very very dumb mistake. One would think that by the 4th EDITION (!!!!!!!!!!!) they would have gotten it right, but no…..So because of that sentence, while reading, I found myself wondering how much more information in the book was incorrect. That’s not something you want to be thinking while reading a supposedly nonfiction book….
Rating: 3 / 5
Very clearly written and understandable. The author concentrates mostly on political, military and economic affairs, but highlights broader cultural and social trends where they are relevant. I wish a little more space had been devoted to culture, art and the like.
China’s ancient history is covered in about 150 pages, and the second half of the book looks at the last 200 years and the interaction with the West and Japan. What was most relevant to a modern Westerner was emphasized. Also emphasized were reoccurring trends in ancient history that seem to find expression in Communist and post-Communist life. I felt this was an acceptable way of highlighting 3000 years of history, but if you are most interested in ancient Chinese history for its own sake this book will not be for you.
There aren’t as many photos and illustrations as I would have liked. Also, as I stated, I wish the culture had been more deeply penetrated. This is still a serviceable introduction to the interested layman with little prior exposure to the subject. I liked well enough that I will buy the author’s companion piece on Japan.
Rating: 4 / 5
I wanted a short history of China before my trip to Shanghai and Xian, so that I might more fully appreciate the artifacts and sites I was going to see. I luckily chose this book by Scott Morton. I got so much more out of the trip than my “fellow travelers,” and was able to assist them in keeping the dates and facts straight. Now I need to continue in depth my study of China, but I highly recommend this book for a starter. I am sending this book to my Shanghai guide as a handy reference for him.
Rating: 5 / 5
almost half the book covers the 19th and 20th centuries, leaving 140 pages for the other 5000 years…what coverage there was seemed good, however.
Rating: 3 / 5