The Making of Modern China: The Ming Dynasty to the Qing Dynasty (1368-1912)

Chinas Geschichte im Comic - China durch seine Geschichte verstehen #4

by Jing Liu

"Does what it sets out to do and serves as a Chinese history text teenagers might actually read." — Asian Review of Books on Division to Unification in Imperial China The fourth volume in the Understanding China Through Comics series covers the stunningly productive Ming dynasty and its fall to the Manchus under the Qing, the last Chinese dynasty. The book also addresses Wang Yangming's School of Mind and the painful process of modernization and conflict with the West and Japan, including the Opium Wars and the Boxer Rebellion. Includes timeline. Jing Liu is a Beijing- and Davis, CA–based designer and entrepreneur who uses his artistry to tell the story of China.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Graphic Novels, China, Comics

176 pages, Paperback

Published November 28, 2017

About the author

Author of Understanding China through Comics. An entrepreneur with an enduring passion for the creative industry.

Reviews

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Making of Modern China is the fourth book in the graphic nonfiction series Understanding China Through Comics. I've read the first book, but not the middle two (I haven't been able to access them). It does provide a quick recap of what preceded it at the beginning, which helped with context a lot. Anyway, it's a really solid primer to this period in Chinese history. It can be difficult to find beginner-level stuff about Chinese history when you don't read Chinese, so these books are great at filling in the basics for curious readers. Anyone else interested in Chinese history and not sure where to start will find this a comfortable place to begin learning. If I get the chance to read the other books in this series, I definitely will, as I enjoyed and learned from this book and the first one in the series as well.

[Shayna Ross · Rating 3 out of 5]

Now that I have read all four volumes, I feel that I can provide a more accurate review.

If you read all four volumes in the correct order, you will be presented with a simplified, graphic portrayal of China's long history in fairly quick and easy reads. Starting from the beginnings of times that at least were documented in some form up to the final volume that ends in 1912, you will encounter a rather comprehensive overview of significant points of Chinese history that changed the country over and over, sometimes for good and mostly for worse. If you have any interest in Chinese history, but do not want to read hefty books or have to select certain topics, this series will provide a decent overview.

However, China has an extremely complex and challenging history with endless number of important figures, along with groups that have invaded and ruled, and its geography constantly shrinking and expanding. While you will get that overview, you will also read through tons and tons of names, facts, and dynasties that can be a struggle to recall if you have no prior knowledge of Chinese history. I think reading these books is fun and can present to you a whole new world of history, but I would also keep in mind that it is only the barest of coverage. If you are truly interested in studying more Chinese history, you can use these books as a starting point for names and dynasties, then do further research on your own.

[Vinayak Hegde · Rating 4 out of 5]

The last book in the 4 part series on Chinese history by Jing Liu. The book covers the rise of the Ming dynasty and it's long reign. Subsequently the Manchus rise and establish another long reigning dynasty - the Qing Dynasty which is the last monarchy that ruled China. The reasons for the Opium Wars, Sino-Japanese wars and the Boxer Rebellion are well explained.

[Joshua · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great source for teachers and students of Ming through Qing Dynasty China. Would make a great resource for a study of self strengthening, First Sino-Japanese War, and the causes for growth/retraction of empires for teachers and students working with this period in history.

[Marsha Altman · Rating 4 out of 5]

My review for this whole series (minus the second book, which my library did not have a copy of) is the same: The author is trying to race through confusing dynasties and philosophy and does that part really well, often at the expense of the art.

[louis hubert]

it's a good book

[joy ferguson]

One of a series of four, this is a fun way to read history. It would be good to go with history class.

[Hailey · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book explains the basics of Chinese history in a way that’s super easy to understand and way more enjoyable to read then a textbook.

[Andréa]

Note: I accessed a digital review copy of this book through Edelweiss.