Revolution and Its Past: Identities and Change in Modern Chinese History

by R. Keith Schoppa

Unlike other texts on modern Chinese history, which tend to be either encyclopedic or too pedantic, "Revolution and Its Past "is comprehensive but concise, focused on the most recent scholarship, and written in a style that "engages" students from beginning to end. The Third Edition uses the theme of identities--of the nation itself and of the Chinese people--to probe the vast changes that have swept over China from late imperial times to the early twenty-first century. In so doing, it explores the "range" of identities that China has chosen over time and those that outsiders have attributed to China and its people, showing how, as China rapidly modernizes, the issue of Chinese identity in the modern world looms large.

Genres: History, China, Nonfiction, Politics

496 pages, Paperback

First published May 10, 2001

Reviews

[Claire S]

I've wanted to learn some more about China for a while, this looks like a great text for that.
From Amazon's description:
Product Description
For courses on Modern Chinese History, Politics, Society, and Culture; a supplement for courses on East Asian civilization, World History and Civilization. Unlike other texts on modern Chinese history--which tend to be either encyclopedic or too pedantic--Revolution and Its Past is usably comprehensive, focused on "cutting-edge" interpretations, and written in a style that engages students from beginning to end. The Second Edition uses the theme of identities--of the nation itself and of the Chinese people--to probe the vast changes that have swept over China from late imperial times to the beginning of the twenty-first century. In so doing, it explores the range of identities China has chosen over time and those that outsiders have bestowed upon China and its people--showing how, as China rapidly modernizes, the issue of Chinese identity in the modern world looms large.

Sounds like it's used in 'History of China' classes and that its relatively unbiased; but people say a weakness is relative lack of dates in the text, and using only english terms for events rather than also the Chinese ones.

Further reading suggestions from a reviewer:
I suggest The Family by Pa Chin, The Poetry and Stories of Lu Xhun, Good Women of China by Xinran Xue, and Falling Leaves by Adeline Yen Mah (just to get started)to understand the culture.

[Eli · Rating 4 out of 5]

*I read every chapter except the final chapter and the epilogue.*

This was a great textbook. Although it could be very dense and somewhat over-informative, it really helped me a lot with my modern Chinese history class.

[Yalin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great book, which I have used as a textbook, that introduces the reader to both the broad strokes, and key actors and episodes of modern Chinese history. Although the third edition is by now a bit outdated, with the rise of Xi and the election of President Tsai Ing-wen not a part of the history being discussed, this is still a nice work for those like me, who are not entirely familier with Chinese history into the modern era.

[Harry Liuson · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read this textbook for my Chinese history class, it covers Late Qing to modern times. Author has a strong conservative bias, and it shows. However, I thought the beginning of the book covering the Qing and Warlord periods were reasonably well written. The worst part is probably his coverage of the Mao era, which is just nonsensical anticommunist drivel, and I did not read the parts after that.

Light on the details, but (probably?) mostly factually accurate.

[Jesse Morrow · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a textbook example of a History of Modern China textbook.

If you are looking for a college level textbook about 1644-current China, this is it! If you are looking for a more consistent history for armchair reading - Try Fairbanks' "Great Chinese Revolution"

[Jordan McGrath · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best history textbooks I have ever read. Currently looking for something that compares on the subject of Modern Japanese History.

[Sunny · Rating 1 out of 5]

Boring ass textbook

[Missy J · Rating 2 out of 5]

I found it hard to follow.

[Jon · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was assigned this book for a modern chinese history course. The book is accessible and some may like the more lighthearted tone. My main criticism is that it superficially glosses over many crucial topics. As a survey it does fine though. If you're looking for a more detailed survey Ive heard better things about The search for modern china.