Twentieth Century China: A History in Documents

Pages from History

by R. Keith Schoppa

In its period of slow decline from the late 18th into the early 20th century and throughout its 20th century revolution, one of the most important problems facing individual Chinese and China as a nation was choosing appropriate political, social, cultural, and economic identities as contexts
and situations changed. This documentary history of 20th century China begins with the turn-of-the-century Boxer uprising to set the stage for understanding the choices at stake for 20th century Chinese. It then focuses on the always-dramatic choices of identity that have continually confronted the
Chinese. In many cases these choices have meant life or death. Above all, this is a story of the people whose choices propelled modern Chinese history. It is a dramatic tale, often bloody and violent, alternately soaring with hope and plunging into bleak despair. It compels our interest because of
its importance for the world today; because it is one of world history's greatest revolutions; and because it provides an extraordinarily interesting study of the processes that an ancient culture undergoes in transforming itself into that which we call "modern."
Twentieth-Century A History in Documents uses an exceptional range of primary sources, including government edicts, political cartoons, poetry, political manifestos, essays, fiction, magazine covers and advertisements, wills, trial transcripts, speeches, statistics, press releases, and even
Chinese rock lyrics. The entire book is profusely illustrated with graphics that themselves serve as documents, and there is also a picture essay. Back matter will include a chronology, further reading, and index.

Genres: History

224 pages, Hardcover

First published September 16, 2004

Reviews

[Ian McHugh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really useful 'primer' for 20th Century Chinese History. Commentary is simple and concise and sources will be very useful for any student looking for primary material. My slight criticism is that, in places, I thought the tone was quite deferential and sympathetic to some of the more questionable actions of the Communist regime in China - the section on Mao a case in point.

[Ben · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was my first time reading history told through a thread of primary documents. I find the commentaries between the documents instrumental in bridging the time and plot gaps between the events. I also find the format useful in giving the reader a taste of tangible historical Zeitgeist without losing the general trend. There were some errors with regards to the titles of documents but nothing major. I would love to read more history written in this format. Excellent for students of Chinese history, especially for understanding the main thread and branching out into specific events.