China: A History

Many nations define themselves in terms of territory or people; China defines itself in terms of history. With the worlds 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 Keays narrative spans 5 000 years from the Three Dynasties (2000220 BC) to Deng Xiaopings opening of China and the past three decades of economic growth. Broadly chronological the book presents a history of all the Chinasincluding regions (Yunnan Tibet Xinjiang Mongolia Manchuria) that account for two-thirds of the Peoples 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.