an excellent 'first person review of chinese history.
592060
As above, a wonderful description of Chinese history in the 20th century  by someone who was there. From the manchu's through early revolution to  Chiang and the Communist struggle; one insight follows another.
4143297
Charles Holcombes A History of East Asia is a great book.

I will admit that when I read the opening chapter (from a sample copy), I almost decided against purchasing the book. Holcombe states that World War II began in 1937. For those familiar with this event, the date conflicts with virtually every Western history book. Thus, the last thing I wanted to do was buy a history book containing erroneous information. But after speaking with a few Chinese and Korean acquaintances, I was informed that the date is correct from the perspective of East Asian history. What would progress into a world war (World War II) involved Asia before it significantly involved Europe or the U.S. In other words, the book is written from the East Asian perspective, yet through a Westerners vantage point. In any case, Im very glad I purchased the book. It is one of the best history books Ive read.

The book is well-written. The major events are written in an entertaining style, and the cultural discussions were both informative and interesting. I especially liked the fact that a decent portion of the book was devoted to pre-modern times; most history books on Asia by Western authors focus too much attention on Asia after contact with the West. The book also discusses some of the ancient innovations and early political developments in China (and the East Asian region), and gives some insight (albeit, brief) into why China lagged behind the West after becoming the most advanced empire. Of course, like most history books that tackle a large geographic region over a considerable timespan, some of the details are lost. Nonetheless, I haven't come across many history books that managed to hold my attention from beginning to end like this book.

Its important to mention that the book is about East Asia, which the author defines as China, Korea, and Japan. This seems to be the common understanding of East Asia (sometimes called North East Asia) in the West  distinguished from Southeast Asia, South Asia, or Northern Asia. In addition, Holcombe limits East Asia to these three nations because these nations are defined by a common underlying historical culture; Korea and Japan adapted much of their cultural values, attitudes, customs, and early institutions from China. While China certainly influenced other Asian societies, such as Vietnam and Southeast Asia generally, these other nations are not the focus of this book.

In summary, if you are interested in the history of East Asia, this is a good introduction. I highly recommend this book.
4235227
Part reference, part musing, part insightful and timely analysis, George Zhibin Gu's latest book "China and the New World Order:  How Entrepreneurship, Globalization, and Borderless Business are Reshaping China and the World" is a welcome and refreshing read among the endless new titles printed on China today.

Picking up on a focus of his previous book "China's Global Reach...," Gu goes further and identifies the chief impediment to China's latest and perhaps most difficult transition as the Chinese state itself.  Gu reveals the seemingly historical inevitability of China's vast government apparatus but explains that Communist Party bureaucracy is unique in Chinese experience in the size and scope of its all-encompassing control.

In topics relative to today's readers Gu ably demonstrates through the book that changes in China come from the revived entrepreneurial instinct of the Chinese.  Along with huge foreign investment China's ever-growing private sector is the outside influence that is challenging Chinese bureaucracy as never before.  But while the Chinese people struggle to create a law-based society and break the bureaucracy's grip on all aspects of economic life, the Chinese state seeks an equal footing among world national powers.

"China and the New World Order" is nicely segmented into short but highly relevant chapters.  As in his earlier works Gu deftly examines the pros and cons of numerous hot-button issues on China.  For example he takes on the Taiwan - China knot and proposes an interesting solution, a federation or federal system as a means toward meaningful (and mutually beneficial) reunification although his federal system shares more similarity to a commonwealth in the opinion of this reviewer.  Gu's look at delicate state of Japan and China relations reveals that Japan remains as apprehensive over Chinese growth and potential as it was in the past.  In examining the India versus China debate Gu shows that there is far less competition (as Western press prefers to portray it) and more similarities between the two giants of Asia.

There is plenty of current information here and the detailed contents and summaries make the book a good quick reference for anyone with an interest in what's happening right now in China.  And there are goodies such as a lengthy interview with Mark Mobius and a foreword by Hoover Institute fellow William Ratliff.

At one point in his analysis, Gu intriguingly compares the struggle in China to the old European church-state alliance.  With that view in mind, what may be needed next and with luck what Chinese entrepreneurs may succeed in bringing is a Chinese "Glorious Revolution."
4657072
This was an interesting and informative look into ancient China; covering: their craftsmanship, agriculture, empirical burial customs, trade, ways of life between classes, and much more.  The illustrations are detailed, with several pages having a clear overlay showing the internal structures. A nice addition to any middle/high school class or library to aid students in Chinese Cultural Studies.
1408557
This is a very interesting and thought provoking record of a wife of a Standard Oil Company manager/executive's nine years experience in China, starting in Manchuria and culminating with her last three years in Changsha (mid-1920s) Alice is a very colorful writer, clearly capturing an interesting perception of the tumultuous social, political, cultural and military changes in China, especially 1926-27 and the Northern Expedition. This is an excellent companion to Healing, Romance and Revolution&nbsp;<a data-hook="product-link-linked" class="a-link-normal" href="/City-Long-Sand/dp/B000IOC8PI/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8">1937454207 Healing, Romance & Revolution: Letters from an American Nurse in 1926 China</a>&nbsp;These two books provide balance and collaborating insight of the times from the perspective of two remarkable women.
2744130
A very interesting and enjoyable read that provides an excellent introduction to a number of the unique methods of doing business in China, as well as some insights as to why those methods exist.  This would be a great briefing to introduce those who are unfamiliar with a traditional Chinese approach to business.

While not intended to be comprehensive in covering all aspects of doing business in China, the book does call out several of the basic tripwires that could result in unintended consequences.  Also, the sharing of experiences by the contributing resources provides multiple perspectives on lessons learned, which also will help one be successful in their China ventures.

All in all a concise and insightful resource that is highly recommended.
4006233
This was an excellent introduction to Chinese history.

It takes you all the way from the very origins of China to the time of the European Middle Ages.

The book does a nice job of integrating philosophy into the historical events.

All of it is wonderfully illustrated too.

I highly recommend this book!
1014076
If you're looking for a book on the early years of Red China, look no farther.

The Dutch-born author, who's currently a professor at a Hong Kong based university provides a look into the early years of Red China & the attempt by the communists to rid the country of anything- or anyone they see as a threat to their rule. Some of the accounts in this book are chilling- from offing "capitalists" to sending their enemies to Soviet-like Gulags. There's even accounts of the communist ordering the public execution of middle school students. The book covers a 12 year period 1945-1957, ending right before the events which will lead to the Great Famine (which the author talked about in his previous book,&nbsp;<a data-hook="product-link-linked" class="a-link-normal" href="/Mao-s-Great-Famine-The-History-of-China-s-Most-Devastating-Catastrophe-1958-1962/dp/0802779239/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8">Mao's Great Famine: The History of China's Most Devastating Catastrophe, 1958-1962</a>.)

Published as part of a 3-book series on China during the Mao Era (the 1st being on the previously mention famine, & the last will be on the Cultural Revolution), this is a great read. A real page turner & while I haven't yet read his previous book, I'll be sure to check that out too.
1218038
I have been following Ian Johnson's work on China for several years and have always been impressed with his insights into not only Chinese society but also to Chinese as individuals.  "Souls" is a critically important work for China watchers - and for anyone is trying to understand the world's oldest and most populous civilization.  It chronicles in a very personal way the reemergence of traditional Chinese values in the context of the country's breakneck pace of economic development.  The well recognized "spiritual vacuum" created by China's economic rise is being filled by individual, and communal, searches for deeper meaning in life.  Johnson describes well how these searches are leading to both renewal of traditional practices of Buddhist, and Daoism and legitimate growth of Christian, especially evangelical, communities. He also brings his years of living in China and extensive personal contacts to a critical view of how the Chinese government's religious policy.

"Souls" was well worth the full price I paid for the hardback; something I have never done before with Amazon.
1147378
A History of Chinese Political Thought is a brilliant and highly accessible account of the many intersecting and often competing expressions of political philosophy that have flowed through and shaped Chinese history. Professor Kim does a masterful job weaving trenchant philosophical analysis together with careful historical detail, drawing upon a wide range of sources and making skillful use of secondary literature from Chinese, Japanese, Korean, and Western sources. The book bristles with original insights, challenging many traditional ideas not only about Chinese political thinking but also and more basically about what it has meant to be China and to be Chinese. This is far and away the most interesting and revealing study of Chinese political thought available. Compellingly argued, elegantly organized, and beautifully written, I highly recommended it to all interested in Chinese political thought.

Philip J. Ivanhoe
Chair Professor of East Asian and Comparative Philosophy and Religion
Director, Center for East Asian and Comparative Philosophy (CEACOP)
City University of Hong Kong
2463290
I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to know more about the Chinese business culture, China's social and economic landscape in the 90's, about investment banking, and about adventure.

Even if sometimes technical about the financial industry, this book is still understandable by anyone who's not familiar with it. It accurately depicts the opening of China at the dawn of major economic reforms that were undertaken at the time John Davis, the protagonist, decided buy cheap industrial equipment from the Middle Kingdom. This novel is very well-written, and the descriptions of places in South-East China just make me want to be there again! Thank you John Kuhns.

JP (foreign student in Beijing)
857757
China's history is fascinating, and this documentary describes perfectly one of the most interesting moments of this history. Many illustrations, good interventions of experts. This film should definitely be seen by any students learning Chinese History, but also by anyone interested in the origins of what could be the first power in the world tomorrow.
4320239
A wonderful introduction of the history of the Chinese language! With a solid background in Chinese linguistics and with a mastery of the English writing, the author has made a precious and much-needed contribution to the scholarship and the academic teaching in China Studies. Highly recommend it!
3062991
This book is a collection of readings dealing with ancient Chinese history, especially focusing on philosophy and religion.  The readings are organized into chapters related to various stages in Chinese history.  Early chapters cover antiquity, Confucius, Mo Tzu, and Taoism.  Then comes Confucian tradition, the Legalists, the Imperial Order, the Universal Order, and the Economic Order.  This is followed by the Great Han Historians, Neo-Taoism, and Buddhism.  This volume is rounded out with the Confucian revival and neo-Confucianism.  Each chapter begins with a short introduction essay that introduces the context and events of the time and goes to a selection of original texts on the topic at hand. At the beginning of the book is a chronological table of Chinese history from 2852 BC to 1849 AD that highlights various events in Chinese political philosophy.
This book is a great resource for the serious student of Chinese philosophy and culture.  The essays and readings provide a unique window into Chinese thought.  The authors assume that the reader will have a basic familiarity with the overall picture of Chinese history, and provide many details and insights into why history took the course that it did.  I found the reading selections, drawn from such documents as the Analects of Confucius or historical documents like Ma tuan-Lin's Introduction to the Survey on the Land Tax, particularly illuminating.  To find so many documents such as these presented in English, together with essays that explain their context and importance, is invaluable for the serious Asian studies scholar.
3109216
This was a very worthwhile read.  The author lived in China for years so his fund of knowledge came from first hand experience, not just from "research".  This book covers the period of China;s recent rapid economic growth which produced many ultra wealthy and others not so fortunate.  The fortunes of individuals in various sectors of society are portrayed in a very engaging manner.  I look back fondly on my time reading this book.  It was time well spent and I recommend it highly.
Thomas Roe
Los Angeles
3692481
China: A New History is an authorative book that taught me a lot about not only the nuts-and-bolts of Chinese history but also how the country was shaped by its distinctive, Confucian culture.  From legendary times to Tienamen Square, this book covers the flow and ebb of Chinese life.  One section that fascinated me discusses the massive nautical expeditions the Ming dynasty sent to known ports in Asia and Africa in the early fifteenth century.  Some of the ships were many times larger than any among the European countries.  What if, instead of scrapping these ships and retreating from the coast, the Ming had projected force into Europe?

This is not a book to be read casually.  It is very much a textbook, and it requires a commitment to start reading.  Aside from a few know-nothing rants and scurrilous attacks, those who downgrade this book do so because they consider it dull reading.
3700623
I took a Modern Chinese History course with Professor Yeh at UC Berkeley. A large portion of her class is based around this book.  The book does a wonderful job of explaining the timeline of modern Chinese history and all the major events. It describes and analyzes all the big major events such as end of the Ming Dynasty, Opium Wars, The Boxer Uprising, arrival of communism in China and Soviet influence.  I especially liked the later chapters about the Cultural Revolution, the behind the curtain workings of the Mao regime and the rise of the free market economy with the resurrection of Deng Xiaoping. I definitely learned a lot from this book and will not be reselling my copy.