China: A History

(Paperback)

Publishing Details

Classifications

Physical Properties

Description

A comprehensive yet accessible study of the oldest of the world's civilizations. One of the most far-reaching events since the Second World War is the re-emergence of China as a world power, and its present government's willingness to open up the country to the rest of the world.This comprehensive cultural history ranges from prehistoric times to the present - from the disunity of Pre-Imperial China to the renaissance of the Sung and Tang dynasties, from the Mongol conquest to Tiananmen Square and the 1989 student revolt. By placing the modern country in historical perspective this brilliant study reveals how many continuities there are within the oldest of all civilizations.

Reviews

Excellent short guide to China's stupendous past...helps us to understand its fateful present * Education *
A knowledgable and comprehensive survey... Both scholarly and readable, it brings each era to life * Sunday Times *
A thorough, popular survery of Chinese civilization from Peking Man to Deng Xiaping. To cover such a large subject in a balanced way is a daunting task and Cotterell has aquitted himself well * Times Higher Educational Supplement *

Author Bio

Arthur Cotterell was principal of Kingston College. His previous books include The Minoan World, The Penguin Encyclopaedia of Ancient Civilizations, The Pimlico Dictionary of Classical Mythologies- Greece, Rome, Persia, India and China, and Chariot- The Astounding Rise and Fall of the World's First War Machine.