The Shortest History of China: From the Ancient Dynasties to a Modern SuperpowerA Retelling for Our Times

Journey across epic Chinathrough millennia of early innovation to modern dominance. The Shortest History books deliver thousands of years of history in one riveting, fast-paced read. As we enter the Asian century, China demands our attention for being an economic powerhouse, a beacon of rapid modernization, and an assertive geopolitical player. To understand the nation behind the headlines, we must take in its vibrant, tumultuous pasta story of larger-than-life characters, philosophical arguments and political intrigues, military conflicts and social upheavals, artistic invention and technological innovation. The Shortest History of China charts a path from Chinas tribal origins through its storied imperial era and up to the modern Communist Party under Xi Jinpingincluding the rarely told story of women in China and the specters of corruption and disunity that continue to haunt the Peoples Republic today. A master storyteller and exacting historian, Linda Jaivin distills this vast history into a short, riveting account that todays globally minded readers will find indispensable. 65 B&W maps and illustrations