The Penguin History of Modern China: The Fall and Rise of a Great Power 1850 to the Present

A rather dense book, packed with facts, and written in a lively style that keeps one engaged. Goes through Xi's early years so fairly, but of course not perfectly, current. One negative for me is the small size of the pages and hence the rather small size of the type. Maybe I should buy reading glasses... In all, a very good piece of reportage and hence a good read.

Very detailed history of China until 1989. The last episode of history to 2007, is treated fairly general. The description of events has its pros and cons. Pros: accumulation of facts, interesting detail and accuracy. Con: lost the perspective.In my opinion the book is not intended for beginners. It is essential reading for history enthusiasts.159 years of recent history of China from 1850 to 2009Among others:Anti-foreign Boxer Rebellion (1899–1901)End to the Qing dynasty and established the Republic of China (1911–12)The birth of communismThe birth of the nationalist movementThe Warlord Era (1916–1928)The May Fourth Movement (1919)Chinese Civil War (1927-1950)The Second Sino-Japanese War (1937–1945)The People's Republic of China (October 1949)Hundred Flowers Movement (1956)Great Leap Forward (1958-1962)The Sino-Soviet split (1960–89)Cultural Revolution (from 1966 until the mid-1970s)Gang of FourDeng Xiaoping (significant economic reforms)Student protests in Tiananmen Square (1989)Note: mediocre edition version of the kindle. Some words merge into several dozen streams.

Fascinating!!! I originally bought this book for my daughter who is studying abroad in China. When I picked it up I was surprised that it read like a soap opera in many places. The writing style quite literally prevented me from putting it down. This book is truly eye opening even for someone like me who though I have read several books on Chinese history already. The cover says it is essential for understanding the country and its people, and I agree.

Excellent book for me who only recently has begun to try to understand China. Great to have along on a trip in China. The only criticism I have is that dates should be more numerous and clearly defined

I am happy with the book but it may be too long for me to read all of it. I will p into chapters until I get to Mao.

This book is a gift for my friend. He like it so much. Thank you very much for providing this amaziong history book!

Illuminating. Riveting. If you're a History buff, get this.

Because this is a condensed history it's very rich with detail and can be a bit much to take in all at once sometime. But, it is a fantastic recount of history and reveals some truly eye opening facts about China in the last 100 years.Definitely worth the read!

The subject matter - History of modern China - is rather extensive and complex; nevertheless, the author focus on 1850 to the present (around 2018) in six main parts, within some approximate dates:Part 1: End of Empire (1850-1911)Part 2: Revolution and Republic (1911-1929)Part 3: Wars without End (1931-1949)Part 4: The rule of Mao (1949-1976)Part 5: The age of Deng (1976-1997)Part 6: Jiang Zemin, Hu Jintao, Xi Jinping (1997- to present 2018)Enough information is provided for the general history interested reader - like myself - to obtain a basic understanding of modern China's history, and perhaps motivation for further studies on such a fascinating country, so relevant to the world of today. I thank the author and all involve for a job well done!

China was a totalitarian state in the ancient past under its string of emperors; the 20th century, Communist Revolution and the rise to power of Mao carried that form of rule forward; totalitarianism continued after his death, any subsequent attempt at reform did not alter it and it remains China’s reality. The idea in the West, that bringing China into the loop of economic prosperity would result in democracy in Beijing, has proven to be false. Communist China remains an empire run by emperors who brook no dissent and no free elections and few, if any, human rights.A well-written and well-documented volume, but you will need a strong stomach to read about the millions murdered during Mao’s decades in power.

Very tiny print

A staggering, vast volume, chronicling a decisive era of not only Chinese, but also, world history, Fenby's History delivers a detailed, enlightening, and thoroughly readable study. Beginning in the mid 1850s with China's unequal treaties, and the subsequent foreign intervention and humiliation, Fenby proceeds to describe everything that constitutes the fall described in the title. We learn of the details of the Opium War, the rise of the real power behind the throne, Dowager Empress Cixi, the subsequent ill fated 100 days reform, and the more famous Boxer Rebellion, with greater detail given to this often misunderstood movement that has frequently captured the Western imagination. In comparison to previous histories this reader has studied, greater attention is given to more essential details such as the fall of the Imperial Court in 1912, the short lived Republic, and the Warlord Era. One learns why Chiang Kai Shek ultimately lost control of the Mainland, due in part to shouldering the burden of resistance to the Japanese, but equally due to the cronyism and inefficiency of his own administration. Fenby provides a very detailed portrait of the WWII period, revealing a careful game of diplomacy wherein both the United States and the USSR took an approach toward China moulded on little more than self interest. Roosevelt, or more specifically, the various Generals and Civil Servants despatched to assist with the war effort, and policy, showed little understanding of China, and were more concerned with events in Europe. This is evinced in Madame Chiang's fruitless trip to the US at the end of the War. Stalin, on the other hand, viewed China with secondary concern, wanting little more than a vassal state, regardless of whether it was ruled by the Communist Party, the Guomindang, or as he suggested, a coalition government. This was in part, due to his desire to avoid an attack on the Soviet Far East from Japan, evinced in his refusal to meet Chiang, but even in the event of the eventual communist victory, Stalin and his successors regarded their Chinese counterparts as "margarine communists" and little more than agricultural reformers. Indeed, the Sino-Soviet split was rooted in the Soviet desire for China to be little more than a vassal state, rather than a power in its own right. The rule, or rather misrule, of Mao is presented in decidedly non-romantic terms, describing the abject disaster of the Great Leap Forward, and the bizarre horror of the Cultural Revolution. Fenby provides greater detail than one has previously divulged in detailing the machinations against Liu Shaoqi, and the mysterious flight of Lin Biao. At times the section on Mao has a mild resemblance to Jung Chang's Mao: The Unknown Story, which appears in this volumes bibliography. This may be disappointing for those seeking a less derisive study of Mao's rule, however this chapter lacks the vitriol and scorn found within the Jung Chang book. The study of the age of Deng is a definite plus within the book, describing the Paramount Leaders outmanoeuvring of Hua Guofeng and his consolidation of power. Fenby gives particular importance to the role of the 8 Immortals and their continuing influence, describing the period as a power struggle between radicals and conservatives, that led to a head in 1989. Devoting a decent 3 chapters to perhaps the biggest stain on China's image of the past few decades, the Tiananmen Square Massacre, Fenby provides details that are often overlooked by other Westerners covering the event, how the protests were not as peaceful as commonly believed, how force was not readily used by the PLA forces, and how the movement in many ways used whatever forceful means at its disposal to resist the evacuation of the square. For those who have been tuned into China's current events since the late 90s, the final section on Jiang Zemin and Hu Jintao may provide little new material, but one is treated to a highly readable overview of the continuation the economic boom, and the strengths and failings of Deng's successors. Fenby concludes with a well reasoned overview of the strengths and internal contradictions of modern China, in many ways delivering on the title chronicling China's rise, in contrast to it's earlier fall. What one has in Fenby's volume is a highly readable and informative account of this crucial period of Chinese history that is increasingly consequential for the world at large. A book that is strongly recommended for both new comers to the study of China, and experienced China hands, or those who would like a highly engaging study of modern history.

an excellent book entirely readable for people like me who are not history scientists. I haste to add that I believe it would be valuable also for the latter not only for amateurs who want to know more about modern Chinese history. Even though the book contains plenty of details the reader is not lost. The author has succeeded in describing Chinese history which is very complex indeed in a lively fashion.