The Shortest History of China
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3.9 • 15 Ratings
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- $11.99
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- $11.99
Publisher Description
From kung-fu to tofu, tea to trade routes, sages to silk, China has influenced cuisine, commerce, military strategy, aesthetics and philosophy across the world for thousands of years.
Chinese history is sprawling and gloriously messy. It is full of heroes who are also villains, prosperous ages and violent rebellions, cultural vibrancy and censorious impulses, rebels, loyalists, dissidents and wits. The story of women in China, from the earliest warriors to twentieth-century suffragettes, is rarely told. And historical spectres of corruption and disunity, which have brought down many a mighty ruling house, continue to haunt the People’s Republic today.
Modern China is seen variously as an economic powerhouse, an icon of urbanisation, a propaganda state or an aggressive superpower seeking world domination. Linda Jaivin distils a vast history into a short, readable account that tells you what you need to know, from China’s philosophical origins to its political system, to the COVID-19 pandemic and where the PRC is likely to lead the world.
‘China demands a great storyteller. Here, it has one.’ —Stan Grant
‘An electrifying and erudite ride … a real page-turner.’ —Alice Pung
Customer Reviews
Delivers what the title promises
4.5 stars
Author
American-born Australian translator, essayist, novelist and sinologist. (If you were wondering whether sinology has something to do with Auslan, this book might not be for you.)
Summary
Ms J delivers exactly what she promises in the title: key players, philosophies, events and inventions dynasty by dynasty (not the American TV show fortunately). No prior knowledge, nor major investment of time required. Enough references for lay readers like me. The latter chapters explain succinctly the Western subjugation of China in the nineteenth century that so irks President Xi today, to our detriment.
Writing
Crisp, clear prose that’s easy to read interspersed with pictures, diagrams, and maps which elucidate the text.
Bottom line
Chinese history is just as convoluted and dependent on the foibles of powerful men as that of the Western European history I was brought up on, only longer. And with more eunuchs. In the long run, the Han have done considerably better than the Hun.
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