The Shortest History of China

As we enter the “Asian Century,” China increasingly demands our attention—as an economic powerhouse, a beacon of rapid modernization, and an assertive geopolitical player. Yet, from kung fu to tofu, tea to trade routes, and sages to silk, Chinese philosophy, commerce, and innovation have influenced our world for thousands of years. Linda Jaivin distills China’s vast history into a short, freshly relevant account that crisscrosses this much-storied land and introduces such unforgettable personalities as:
Confucius, intrepid traveler and moral adviser
Li Bai, great Tang poet and celebrity of his time
Empress Dowager Cixi, effective ruler of the Qing for nearly 50 years
Mao Zedong, communist revolutionary and founder of the People’s Republic
Globally minded readers will find everything they need to know about this rising superpower: the rarely told story of women in China, from the earliest warriors to twentieth-century suffragettes; China’s path from its tribal origins to the modern Communist Party under Xi Jinping; and the historical specters of corruption and disunity that continue to haunt the nation today.