The Great Chinese Revolution 1800-1985
- Book Review,
by John King Fairbank
From Publishers Weekly
In a highly readable work of sound scholarship, Fairbank (a general editor of The Cambridge History of China and author of more than 20 books on China) undertakes the daunting task of integrating pre- and postrevolutionary China in a historical overview. Tracing the origins of the Communist revolution of 1949 back to the late imperial era, he claims that the roots of this triumph of Marxist ideology go deep into Chinese tradition and convincingly relegates Western influence to the periphery. He proceeds to an expert analysis of the Manchu dynasty, the warlords (who found both their ultimate expression and death knell in Chiang Kai-shek), Mao's creation of a new state and China under Deng Xiaoping. Insightful and informative, this excellent synthesis of the forces that shaped contemporary China should be basic reading for anyone interested in understanding what the author calls "a largely unknown country seen from a great distance." Copyright 1986 Reed Business Information, Inc.
From Library Journal
Fairbank's latest book is a fresh and spritely general survey of Chinese history from 1800. As an architect, editor, and contributor to the Cambridge History of China , Fairbank has maintained a marvelous command over the most recent scholarship. His knowledge, easy style, and own special acerbic commentaries combine to make this book a delight. Fairbank divides his account into four sections: growth and change during the 19th century; the crisis of the old order from 1895 to 1911; and China's two attempts to create a modern nation, the Chinese Republic (1912-49) and the Chinese People's Republic (post-1949). The book is never pedantic, but gathers together a lifetime of scholarship plus a true gift for presentation of complex issues and a fine eye for telling illustration. This will be widely read for decades; highly recommended for most school and public libraries. David D. Buck, History Dept., Univ. of Wisconsin-MilwaukeeCopyright 1986 Reed Business Information, Inc.
A masterful account of China's long and turbulent quest for modernity."
"The best one-volume account of what has happened in China, and to China, during the past two decades."
Times Literary Supplement (London)
"The best one-volume account of what has happened in China and to China during the past two centuries."
A masterful account of China's long and turbulent quest for modernity."
Book Description
"[A] masterful account of China's long and turbulent quest for modernity."-- Arthur Schlesinger, Jr. "The best one-volume account of what has happened in China, and to China, during the past two centuries."--Times Literary Supplement (London)
From the Publisher
"[A] masterful account of China's long and turbulent quest for modernity."-- Arthur Schlesinger, Jr. "The best one-volume account of what has happened in China, and to China, during the past two centuries."--Times Literary Supplement (London)
About the Author
FAKE: ont face=arial size=2> John K. Fairbank and his wife, Wilma Fairbank, got their first impressions of Chinese life by living in Peking for four years in the early 1930s. In 1936 he began to develop instruction and research on Modern China at Harvard University. During World War II he spent the five years 1941 to 1946 in Washington and in China in government service. After he resumed teaching, his first book, The United States and China, in 1948 reflected his impressions of the revolutionary ferment among the Chinese people. (The fourth edition of this book, revised and updated, was published by Harvard University Press in 1983.) Professor Fairbank was one of the small number of Americans whose pioneer work in Modern Chinese History gave necessary shape to the field. Surveys and more specialized courses of lectures, syllabi and bibliographies for use in research seminars, conferences on major topics leading to publication of symposia, all contributed to M.A. and Ph.D. training that launched many of today's professors of Chinese history on their careers. This development also involved the organization of national committees and conferences to meet the many problems of Chinese studies in America. Professor Fairbank has been president of the Association for Asian Studies and of the American Historical Association and has received numerous honorary degrees. He and his wife live according to the season in New Hampshire and in Cambridge, Mass.
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