China : A History

Many nations define themselves in terms of territory or people; China defines itself in terms of history. With the world’s longest tradition of history-writing, its extraordinary past ought to be common knowledge. China , by the eminent historian John Keay, should make it so. Informed by the latest research and enlivened by wit and anecdote, Keay’s narrative spans 5,000 years, from the Three Dynasties (2000–220 BC) to Deng Xiaoping’s opening of China and the past three decades of economic growth. Broadly chronological, the book presents a history of all the Chinas—including regions (Yunnan, Tibet, Xinjiang, Mongolia, Manchuria) that account for two-thirds of the People’s Republic of China land mass but which barely feature in its conventional history. Crisp, judicious, and engaging, China is destined to become the classic single-volume history for anyone seeking to understand the past, present, and future of this immensely powerful nation. An single-volume narrative history of China, from the earliest times to the present day, designed both to engage the general reader and to challenge the horizons of the China specialist. As China rejoins and perhaps comes to dominate our world order, the need for an authoritative yet engaging history is universally acknowledged. Broadly chronological, the book presents a history of all regions, including those (Yunnan, Tibet, Xinjiang, Mongolia, Manchuria) that account for two thirds of the People's Republic of China land mass but which barely feature in its conventional history (which tends to concentrate on the succession of mainly north China imperial dynasties). The book also examines the many non-Chinese elements in China's history: the impact of Buddhism, Islam and Christianity; the effects of trade; the nature of 'barbarian' invasion; the relevance of many imperial dynasties being of non-Chinese origin. Major archaeological discoveries in the last two decades afford a chance to flesh out and correct much of the written record. It tells the epic story from the time of the Three Dynasties (2000-220 BC) to Chairman Mao and the current economic transformation of the country Many nations define themselves in terms of territory or people; China defines itself in terms of history. With the world’s longest tradition of history-writing, its extraordinary past ought to be common knowledge. __China__, by the eminent historian John Keay, should make it so.Informed by the latest research and enlivened by wit and anecdote, Keay’s narrative spans 5,000 years, from the Three Dynasties (2000–220 BC) to Deng Xiaoping’s opening of China and the past three decades of economic growth. Broadly chronological, the book presents a history of all the Chinas—including regions (Yunnan, Tibet, Xinjiang, Mongolia, Manchuria) that account for two-thirds of the People’s Republic of China land mass but which barely feature in its conventional history.Crisp, judicious, and engaging, __China__ is destined to become the classic single-volume history for anyone seeking to understand the past, present, and future of this immensely powerful nation. An authoritative account of five thousand years of Chinese history Many nations define themselves in terms of territory or people; China defines itself in terms of history. Taking into account the country's unrivaled, voluminous tradition of history writing, John Keay has composed a vital and illuminating overview of the nation's complex and vivid past. Keay's authoritative history examines 5,000 years in China, from the time of the Three Dynasties through Chairman Mao and the current economic transformation of the country. Crisp, judicious, and engaging, China is the classic single-volume history for anyone seeking to understand the present and future of this immensely powerful nation. Rites To Writing, Pre C.1050 Bc -- Sages And Heroes, C.1050-c. 250 Bc -- The First Empire, C. 250-210 Bc -- Han Ascendant, 210-141 Bc -- Within And Beyond, 141 Bc-ad 1 -- Wang Mang And The Han Reprise, Ad 1-189 -- Four Hundred Years Of Vicissitude, 189-550 -- Sui, Tang And The Second Empire, 550-650 -- High Tang, 650-755 -- Reconfiguring The Empire, 755-1005 -- Caving In, 1005-1235 -- By Land And Sea, 1235-1405 -- The Rites Of Ming, 1405-1620 -- The Manchu Conquest, 1620-1760 -- Death Throes Of Empire, 1760-1880 -- Republicans And Nationalists, 1880-1950. John Keay. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 549-560) And Index. This narrative history of China takes in everything from the earliest times to the present day. The book is informed by a wide knowledge of the Asian context and an approach devoid of Euro-centric bias. The book also examines the many non-Chinese elements in China's history, such as the impact of Buddhism, foreign trade, etc. A five thousand-year history draws on the latest research to provide lighthearted discussions of the nation's dynasties, regions and recent economic growth, in a broadly chronological reference that also features coverage of less-recognized populations. Informed by the latest research and enlivened by wit and anecdote, Keay's classic single-volume history of China spans 5,000 years, from the Three Dynasties (2000-220 BC) to Deng Xiaoping's opening of China and the past three decades of economic growth