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Polity Histories
China
China is poised to become the world's largest economy in the next decade. But its great struggle to modernise has been one of tragedy, conflict, and challenge. From the first attempts to introduce Western ideas into the country two centuries ago, China's long march to global primacy has been above all an epic fight to renew an ancient country and culture.
Leading Sinologist Kerry Brown traces this quest for renewal through the major moments of China’s modern history. Taking the reader on a journey that includes war, revolution, famine and finally regeneration, he describes concisely and authoritatively where China has come from, and where it is heading as it achieves great power status. This is a story that is no longer just about China, but concerns the rest of the world.
Leading Sinologist Kerry Brown traces this quest for renewal through the major moments of China’s modern history. Taking the reader on a journey that includes war, revolution, famine and finally regeneration, he describes concisely and authoritatively where China has come from, and where it is heading as it achieves great power status. This is a story that is no longer just about China, but concerns the rest of the world.
224 pages, Paperback
Published August 31, 2020
3 people are currently reading
38 people want to read
About the author
Kerry Brown
84 books78 followersKerry Brown is an author, columnist, Professor of Chinese Studies and Director of the Lau China Institute at King's College, London.
*From Kerry's Website.*: Prior to this he was the Professor of Chinese Politcs and Director of the China Studies Centre at the University of Sydney. He led the Europe China Research and Advice Network(ECRAN) funded by the European Union from 2011 to 2014. He is an Associate Fellow on the Asia Programme at Chatham House, London. His main interests are in the politics and society of modern China, in its international relations and its political economy.
Educated at Cambridge (MA), London (Post Graduate Diploma in Chinese with Distinction) and Leeds Universities (Ph D), he worked in Japan and the Inner Mongolian region of China,before joining the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) in London in 1998. He worked in the China Section and then served as First Secretary, Beijing, from 2000 to 2003, and Head of the Indonesia East Timor Section at the FCO from 2003 to 2005.
Kerry Brown has been published in most major newspapers, commenting on China and Asia, including the New York Times, The Guardian, the Daily Telegraph, the Australian Financial Review, the Australian, the South China Morning Post, and the Financial Times. He has also been interviewed since 2006 by the BBC, Al Jazeera, CNN, Bloomberg, ABC and other outlets. He had undertaken consultancy for Mizuho Bank, BP, Oxford Analytica, Hakluyt, Tesco and other corporates.
*From Kerry's Website.*: Prior to this he was the Professor of Chinese Politcs and Director of the China Studies Centre at the University of Sydney. He led the Europe China Research and Advice Network(ECRAN) funded by the European Union from 2011 to 2014. He is an Associate Fellow on the Asia Programme at Chatham House, London. His main interests are in the politics and society of modern China, in its international relations and its political economy.
Educated at Cambridge (MA), London (Post Graduate Diploma in Chinese with Distinction) and Leeds Universities (Ph D), he worked in Japan and the Inner Mongolian region of China,before joining the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) in London in 1998. He worked in the China Section and then served as First Secretary, Beijing, from 2000 to 2003, and Head of the Indonesia East Timor Section at the FCO from 2003 to 2005.
Kerry Brown has been published in most major newspapers, commenting on China and Asia, including the New York Times, The Guardian, the Daily Telegraph, the Australian Financial Review, the Australian, the South China Morning Post, and the Financial Times. He has also been interviewed since 2006 by the BBC, Al Jazeera, CNN, Bloomberg, ABC and other outlets. He had undertaken consultancy for Mizuho Bank, BP, Oxford Analytica, Hakluyt, Tesco and other corporates.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
October 6, 2020
If you don’t know a lot about China or Chinese history, then this is great gateway book.
August 9, 2024
This book gave an overview and explanation of Chinese history, beginning with the century of humiliation and focusing most closely on the period 1949 onwards, when WW2 finished and the communists won the civil war.
This book was more of a high-level summary than I was expecting, being quite short overall. As such, it was more surface level than what I was hoping for. As such, I think its better for people who really know very little about China. That being said, it still helped understand how some trends have shaped China today. In particular, the idea of nationalism and the rejuvenation of a once great civilisation are key drivers of China politically. The method with which these goals are achieved is more flexible, whether it be Maoist communism, socialism with chinese characteristics, or whatever comes in the future. One of the other key ideas was the reliance on economic growth by the Party to maintain their legitimacy and keep the people happy. The question raised is how a nation that has developed, and where growth slows, will reckon with living under a one-party system. The party seems to think that the response is, once again, nationalism, as least in the eyes of the author. I was already familiar with this concept, but a different angle on it that I hadn't considered is: For its entire history the Party has been in control of a country that feels it is less than it should be - fragmented, poor, suffering, exploited etc. As such, the vision of China as a united, properous nation has always been key to the political identity of China - a goal that has animated and driven the country to great success. This effort has also been central to the purpose and legitimacy of the Party. This is in contrast to other countries such as the US which has been prosperous and powerful for a long time and wants to maintain what it has, or suffers from feelings of decay with no hope of regaining past glories, examples being in Europe. The question for China is what will happen once that motivating vision of the future becomes a reality? Where to next? This idea was new to me, so the book was worth reading for that reason, as well as the additional level of detail I didn't know previously. The book did a good job of being neutral/balanced, rather than being a highly politicised or slanted view, which was nice. The glossary of recommended further reading is also a nice addition.
This book was more of a high-level summary than I was expecting, being quite short overall. As such, it was more surface level than what I was hoping for. As such, I think its better for people who really know very little about China. That being said, it still helped understand how some trends have shaped China today. In particular, the idea of nationalism and the rejuvenation of a once great civilisation are key drivers of China politically. The method with which these goals are achieved is more flexible, whether it be Maoist communism, socialism with chinese characteristics, or whatever comes in the future. One of the other key ideas was the reliance on economic growth by the Party to maintain their legitimacy and keep the people happy. The question raised is how a nation that has developed, and where growth slows, will reckon with living under a one-party system. The party seems to think that the response is, once again, nationalism, as least in the eyes of the author. I was already familiar with this concept, but a different angle on it that I hadn't considered is: For its entire history the Party has been in control of a country that feels it is less than it should be - fragmented, poor, suffering, exploited etc. As such, the vision of China as a united, properous nation has always been key to the political identity of China - a goal that has animated and driven the country to great success. This effort has also been central to the purpose and legitimacy of the Party. This is in contrast to other countries such as the US which has been prosperous and powerful for a long time and wants to maintain what it has, or suffers from feelings of decay with no hope of regaining past glories, examples being in Europe. The question for China is what will happen once that motivating vision of the future becomes a reality? Where to next? This idea was new to me, so the book was worth reading for that reason, as well as the additional level of detail I didn't know previously. The book did a good job of being neutral/balanced, rather than being a highly politicised or slanted view, which was nice. The glossary of recommended further reading is also a nice addition.
July 26, 2021
Extremely pithy and perhaps a lockdown induced venture (written in Spring 2020 after all!), this is another excellent read by Kerry Brown.
It can be summed up as Kerry's attempt to explain that China's communist/Marxist/Leninist (whatever you will) politics maybe temporary but Chinese nationalism is eternal.
This is written in a chronological manner, starting from the creation of the PRC (1949) and ending in 2020. Spoiler alert: it seems Xi is bringing China full circle back to Party rule which places emphasis on the man and not the institution.
A really excellent read for anyone wanting to start out reading about China or who has already invested a lot of time.
It can be summed up as Kerry's attempt to explain that China's communist/Marxist/Leninist (whatever you will) politics maybe temporary but Chinese nationalism is eternal.
This is written in a chronological manner, starting from the creation of the PRC (1949) and ending in 2020. Spoiler alert: it seems Xi is bringing China full circle back to Party rule which places emphasis on the man and not the institution.
A really excellent read for anyone wanting to start out reading about China or who has already invested a lot of time.
August 29, 2023
A very strong book and a good, quick read.
It’s easy and accessible, anyone can pick it up and give it a go.
It’s broad but covers contemporary history well. Although it could have tapped into a few of the tensions and crises of each respective ear a bit more.
I do find it very funny that Kerry recommends several of his own books several times in the further ready section hahaha. Very cheeky .
Not enough mention of the specifics of divergent ideologies. Could have said more on sino-soviet relations as well.
All in all: Kerry is a good Sinologist. Recommend
It’s easy and accessible, anyone can pick it up and give it a go.
It’s broad but covers contemporary history well. Although it could have tapped into a few of the tensions and crises of each respective ear a bit more.
I do find it very funny that Kerry recommends several of his own books several times in the further ready section hahaha. Very cheeky .
Not enough mention of the specifics of divergent ideologies. Could have said more on sino-soviet relations as well.
All in all: Kerry is a good Sinologist. Recommend
October 29, 2024
An overview of the past century or so of China’s history and developments.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews