Product Description
In this Second Edition of his widely acclaimed history of modern China, Jonathan Spence achieves a fine blend of narrative richness and efficiency. The text is tighter throughout and up-to-date on the most important scholarship in the field. The new discussions in this thorough revision include the extension of imperial power into central Asia by the eighteenth-century emperors, women's literacy and education in the Qing, the early development of Chinese nationalism, the roots of Chinese communism and alternatives to Mao, the early stages of the Great Leap Forward and of the Cultural Revolution. There is a new chapter at the end of the book on economic, cultural, and political developments since 1989. Praised as "a miracle of readability and scholarly authority," (Jonathan Mirsky) The Search for Modern China offers students a matchless introduction to China's history.

CUSTOMER REVIEWS (Average Customer Rating: 4.5 based on 43 reviews)

The Search for Modern China by Jonathan D. Spence

The Search for Modern China by Jonathan D. Spence is the best single-volume history of modern China that I have ever read. It is clear, objective, well-researched, insightful and well-written. I have been based in Hong Kong for the past eight years with a major US law firm and often go into China for business and pleasure. As I interact with Chinese on a daily basis, I feel that this book has provided me with a much deeper understanding of "where it all came from". A must-read for the informed global citizen of the 21st century.
October 25, 2008

Declan

I gave this four stars because it was written by the expert on China but a little heavy and a slight bore to read. Still working my way through it. I should be a fellow expert by the time I'm finish !!
September 16, 2008

Essential Reading for the Amateur Sinophile

This is essential reading for both Chinese studies majors and anyone who wants a comprehensive, well-researched history of modern China. The writing is highly readable, moving along at the same pace as some of the better novels out there. This work is chock full of anecdotes, facts, photos, and tables, all serving to support and illuminate the strong narrative core of the book.

I've read it again and again. I highly recommend it.
July 14, 2008

Great Book!

Book was never sent the first time I called after a couple of days and they overnighted it to me so I was very impressed with the fact that though they messed up they fixed the problem right away!
July 08, 2008

Just a great resource on China

I've read over twenty books on China, and this is one of the best resources out there. At first I was caught off guard that Spence started in the 16th or 17th century, however, it provides a lot of insight into China's development and goes into detail about China's interactions with the West and their reactions. I especially found the opium trade quite interesting and also the fact that new dynasties had to constantly reconquer parts of China. One truly begins to appreciate the difficulty in governing a country so large and diverse as China.
September 19, 2007

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