A History of China

Capturing China’s past in all its complexity, this multi-faceted history portrays China in the context of a larger global world and incorporates the narratives of Chinese as well as non-Chinese ethnic groups.

The book offers a complete political, economic, social, and cultural history of China, covering the major events and trends. It differs from other histories of the country in presenting China as part of a larger world. Although it emphasizes events within China, it also portrays China in the context of global developments, from its earliest interactions with local neighbors to later relationships with countries across Asia and around the world.  At the same time, the book depicts the role of non-Chinese ethnic groups in China, including Tibetans and Uyghurs, and analyzes the role of Mongol and Manchu rulers and their impact on Chinese society. Drawing on the latest scholarship, the author goes beyond traditional accounts of Imperial families and officials to discuss groups such as peasants, women, merchants, and artisans, who have traditionally been left out of the narrative. In doing so, he provides a rich and nuanced history of one of the contemporary world’s most dynamic societies.