The Rise of Modern China

Rating:
Summary: "The Rise of Modern China" by Immanuel Hsu
Review: It is a very good book, it is very thorough,and factual, it is really critical of Mao. I highly recommend it

Rating:
Summary: "The Rise of Modern China" by Immanuel Hsu
Review: It is a very good book, it is very thorough,and factual, it is really critical of Mao. I highly recommend it

Rating:
Summary: Fantastic history book on modern Chinese history
Review: It is quite a long book but well worth it! This book begins with the Ch'ing dynasty and traces the course of China's history up through Deng's reforms. China's history is particulary difficult because it requires drawing on the events of so many other countries. A historian of this subject must be able to survey the histories of these countries in order to relate them to events in China. The author does an amazing job of delivering a solid history that is a good read.

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Summary: Still a definitive work after three decades
Review: Now in it's sixth edition, this work bt C.Y. Hsu is still one of the most popular textbooks on this subject in universities across the country. Within its 1000+ pages the book covers the period from the beginning of the Ching dynasty (1644) to 1998. I believe that what separates this book from others on this subject is that instead of focusing primarily on geography, chronology, and names, it attempts to provide a glimpse of the personalities and motivations of the many important figures that emerged during this period. The chapters concerning the years between the decline of the Ching at the turn of the 19th century and the establishment of the PRC in 1949 are extremely well done, and convey a great deal of information about important players of that age such as Sun Yat Sen, Mao, and Chiang Kai Shek. It is a well-researched, well-written book, and a pleasure to read.

Rating:
Summary: Definitive
Review: Whether you are studying Chinese history or you're simply interested in China, this book is essential for every library. It is both consumately researched and artfully written.

Asian history doesn't get any better than this!