The Search for Modern China
by Jonathan D. Spence
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other reviews (showing 1-20 of 157)
Read in July, 2008
recommends it for:
only those greatly interested in China
Spence's book is surely thorough and well-researched but, as a strict history, lacks any overarching theme and lost my interest after 300 pages. If you're China bound or very interested in Chinese culture, you'll probably find the 700 page journey rewarding. Though I didn't finish, I learned a few fascinating historical features of China that explain certain modern features.
-The examination system (long the primary route to professional success) instilled a historical family respect for ac...more
-The examination system (long the primary route to professional success) instilled a historical family respect for ac...more
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Read in September, 2008
A book of this magnitude is a little hard to review. It covers many areas of Chinese history from 1685 to 1989. It includes enough tables of economic data to be useful as a reference, yet retains a highly readable style.
In his other works, Spence developed a distinctive style, in which he would pick out specific literary or works and present significant excerpts of their translations. This book uses less of the primary material than I am accustomed to seeing from Spence. However, the style ...more
In his other works, Spence developed a distinctive style, in which he would pick out specific literary or works and present significant excerpts of their translations. This book uses less of the primary material than I am accustomed to seeing from Spence. However, the style ...more
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Read in March, 2008
This has been my first real introduction to Chinese history, read while I live my first month in Beijing. As such, I'm not really qualified to recommend it over other histories of China. I do like it a great deal though, and I suspect that it would hold up against similar books.
A history of China from the collapse of the Ming to around 2000. It is very well footnoted, index'd, and appendix'd, includes key statistics rendered as tables, many useful maps, and wonderful selections of visua...more
A history of China from the collapse of the Ming to around 2000. It is very well footnoted, index'd, and appendix'd, includes key statistics rendered as tables, many useful maps, and wonderful selections of visua...more
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Probably the best, and certainly the most popular, history of China in the modern era (i.e., post 1500 CE). Spence's prose is straightforward and clean, and his method of following individual artists, writers, or activists through a given time period to illustrate general policy acts as an engine to drive the reader through long descriptions of economic policies and trade issues. Furthermore, Spence always aims to show how the past informs the present and how patterns of history overlap and repe...more
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Read in January, 2007
Academic history of China from the late Ming dynasty through the 90s. Author breaks time into periods and does an extensive survey of literature, politics, the economy, etc. for each period.
Author demonstrates how the thrashing about of the Communist leadership (Great Leap Forward, Cultural Revolution, 100 Flowers Campaign, etc.) was the result of internal political struggles rather than craziness on the part of Mao.
Author demonstrates how the thrashing about of the Communist leadership (Great Leap Forward, Cultural Revolution, 100 Flowers Campaign, etc.) was the result of internal political struggles rather than craziness on the part of Mao.
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Read in October, 2007
recommends it for:
Interested in China
Covering late Ming (1600's) to the late 1980's China, essential reading to form a basis of understanding China's changes in power structures, culture, and foreign relations. Reads well. From the preeminent Yale historian, Jonathan Spence.
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Read in January, 2002
My experience with China and studying China and writing papers about China would be nothing like what it is without the aid of Jonathan Spence and the many many times I've used this index/perused this book. Thank god for Jon...
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Simply the best book for the modern history of China. Spence is a very good writer of history. This is easy to read and fascinating to study. If your interested in China, this is the place to start.
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Read in March, 2006
recommends it for:
anyone interested in china
wonderful, well-researched account of chinese history. let's face it, the china-force is an interesting phenomenon. this book is a great guide for anyone interested in investigating it.
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Read in January, 1999
A good author for what can be a very hard to follow history for Americans. Spence's other books make for more interesting reading, at least to me.
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Believe it or not, you can finish this book, and learn a lot about China (and Japan, Korea, and Vietnam) in the process. Start it in the fall....
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It was written by Spence. That should be enough. Engaging writing style, fluid transitions from topic to topic, thorough and well documented.
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i haven't even finished this yet but it's amazing so far. A+++++ spence is also a phenomenal lecturer.
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I'm slowly reading it in bits ... intelligently well written.
Feel free to share in reading it :-)
Feel free to share in reading it :-)
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A great history book for anyone who wants to know why China is the way it is today.
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Read in May, 2002
This book complements Spence's Search for Modern China quite well.
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If you're looking for a good basic history of China, start here.
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This is my essential reference on modern Chinese history.
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Read in May, 2002
Excellent overview of Chinese history from 1600 to 2000.
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