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 | | The Rise of Modern China by Immanuel C. Y. Hsu ISBN-10: 9780195087208 ISBN-10: 0-19-508720-8 ISBN-13: 9780195087208 ISBN-13: 978-0-19-508720-8 Hardcover 1995-02-23 Oxford University Press, USA Find Lowest Price |
Editorials | ||
Product Description Chinese communism at 45 is an unprecedented mixture of semi-capitalism and Leninist orthodoxy, the former generating an economic boom and the latter ensuring a stable political order. Will economic affluence inevitably lead to political change, bringing on yet another communist collapse? Having possessed for decades the greatest population on earth, and now controlling what will shortly be the planet's largest economy, China is a nation that commands the respect, awe, and vested interest of an entire globe. The long path leading to the crossroads at which she now stands constitutes one of the most complex and unlikely chronicles in the history of civilization. From traditional, xenophopic empire to modern economic powerhouse, China's epic story since the seventeenth century is brought vividly to life in this latest edition of Immanuel C.Y. Hsu's monumental survey. Updated to incorporate the tumultuous events of the late '80s and early '90s, this classic text recounts in detail the response of China's leadership to the collapse of European communism, illustrates the unorthodox methods behind the nation's recent economic resurgence, and further analyzes the effects of the violent crackdown at Tienanmen Square. Taiwan's transition to constitutional democracy is also discussed, as well as the possible, and very problematic, reunification with the mainland. Unmatched in depth and comprehensiveness, this extraordinary work continues, as no other text can, to bring modern China's fascinating past into focus for students of her history, politics, and culture. | ||
Reviews | ||
An excellent study This really is an excellent book. Although scholarly it is not dry and one might even call it exciting at times. It remains the definitive work on the period (most Oxford History books tend to have that distinction) and the latest edition (6th, I believe) contains additions and corrections well worth the bump in price. The only reason I cannot give this book a full five stars is because in spite of the scholarship, it remains fairly light on ideas and when compared to other Oxford Histories such as "Battle Cry Of Freedom" or "What God Hath Wrought" it cannot hold its own. Nevertheless, this book is a worthy addition to any historical library and is heartily recommended. | ||
Reviewing The Rise of Modern China This book by Immanuel Hsu used to be my school text 23 years ago! Now in its 6th Edition, I must say is an excellent piece of work. However, there are still certain words which are wrong, for eg, page 100, 2nd Paragraph, "...He was "found" of Adma Schall von Bell, whom he appointed..." The word should be FOND and not "found".... I have detected several similar errors in the book.... Otherwise, this book would almost be near Perfect! Steven Lim. RSTN Consulting (Singapore). | ||
Indispensable While Spence's "The Search for Modern China" may be currently the most popular survey of modern Chinese history, Hsu's work is indispensable for the student of wants a deep understanding of China and the Chinese. I was fortunate enough to have studied the material covered with Hsu at Santa Barbara, while he was working on the first edition and still using the then only good English language Asian history by Fairbank (+ others) as a text. While I still have my copy of Fairbank's two volumes, which remain useful for Japan and Southeast Asia, it is to Hsu's text I still refer on matters of Chinese history. | ||
A Great Work I needed a book for my university studies on China, and this was by far the best. It is detailed, sharp and well written. I cannot see much bias either way, or if there is the other side is shown. A very good treatment on the subject. | ||
Definitive work to the rise of China as a superpower This is the definitive work by Prof. C.Y. Hsu of the University of Californai, Santa Barbara. It is a highly acclaimed history book which tells the rise of modern China which begins with her occupation by the alien power - the Manchus - from the border of north China and rules the country with an iron grip from 1644 to 1912. The Manchus were an alien, warlike race which had an eye for China (just like the barbaric Japs in 1935) for a while, and according to Prof. Hsu and his marvellous research, the appropriate time came sooner than expected which altered the future course of China and eventually led it to become a world power a century later. The Manchus enticed the Ming Dynasty General Wu San Kwei who was then guarding the walls at San Hai Kwan Pass (Mountain and Sea Pass) which effectively blocked the entrance of these warlike aliens to which the weaken Ming Dynasty couldn't well resist. Then internal political turmoil caused the last Ming Emperor to commit suicide and the rise of the rebel Li Zhi Cheng which looted and subsequently occupied Peking. Fatefully, Li abducted the mistress named Chen Yuan Yuan of Gen. Wu which compelled him to open the massive wall-gate and allowed the Manchus to enter Peking to chastise the rebel who was eventually captured and beheaded after many battles. Then the Manchus began to establish their Manchu or Ch'ing Dynasty from 1644-1912 with ten succeeding emperors and one notorious empress named Tzi Hsi. China, weakened by internal unrest and revolts and external pressure from the foreign powers - notably Great Britain, France, Imperial Japan, Germany, Italy, Germany, Russia and etc., almost brought the country to total ruin, division and a multiple foreign colony. China was forced to signed many unequeal treaties after she was militarily defeated which included the tranforming of Hong Kong into a British colony in losing two Opium Wars. With the country politically and militarily divided and huge areas curved out by foreign powers, the educated people along with the farmers rose up to try to overthrow the decadent Manchus. Then came the devasting and most barbaric war of conquest by the Imperial "bungsai" troops which climaxed in the so-called Rape of Nanking, whereby some 300,000 innocent and unarmed Chinese civilians were tortured, robbed, raped and summarily executed in cold blood by the contesting samurai swords. Iris Chang told this holocaust in her acclaimed book called THE RAPE OF NANKING (It is also sold by amazon.com too). Eventually, after many local rebellions against the alien Manchus, Dr. Sun Yat Sen succeeded in overthrowing them and formed the Republic of China and eventually the founding of the People's Republic of China by Mao and Co. Then in the 1970s, the Chinese people were proud to witness the entry of China into the United Stations and occupied a seat in the U.N. Security Council. China then started diplomatic releations with its once arch-enemy, the United States after the historical state visit of President Nixon. (The Chinese still consider Nixon as their friend today!) Today, the rise of China as both an economic and military power owes its origin to the resolve of the innovative and determined Chinese people led first by Dr. Sun Yat Sen (Father of the Chinese Revolution) to Deng Xiaoping (Father of the Chinese Economy), which brought China to become a peaceful and superpower power - respected and feared by both friends and foes alike. Prof. Hsu's thousand page long history book, well-researched and written in an understable language should be in the homes of all English educated Chinese people and those foreigners who are friends of China. So please go for this highly recommended and worthy history book if you, the reader, has been to China and marvel at its seven thousand years of history, culture, civilization, inventions, battles and peace and rise to become a peaceful superpower of today. Cheers & thanks. | ||