Includes bibliographical references and index.

It has been said that the twenty-first century will be China's century. Such a remark highlights the importance of being informed about China's long and tumultuous history. In this book the author traces the main course of that history, from the earliest times, through the centuries of imperial government, to the present day. Chapters on China's imperial history identify the main political and economic changes, whilst introducing key social themes. Turning to the modern period, the author then traces the dramatic events of the Opium Wars, the 1911 Revolution and the Republican era. The book ends with a detailed discussion of China under Communist rule and a wide-ranging review of new developments, including China's economic achievements and its costs. Revised and expanded in the light of the latest research, and now featuring a chronology, this is an up-to-date overview of China's past.

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