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A Short History of Asia
The peoples of Asia now make up more than half of the world's population. They are increasingly well-educated, and successful in every area of modern trade and technology. Their influence in the rest of the world is also becoming greater. Colin Mason provides a readable and clear introduction to their history and traditions, from prehistory right up to the present day. This thoroughly revised, updated and expanded new edition includes the substantial changes and additions made necessary by the fast-changing scene in Asia, particularly China's increasing prominence in world affairs. There are new chapters on Afghanistan and Taiwan, and on World War Two and its significance in Asia, as well as extensive reworking of the chapters on the nations of South Asia. Maps and illustrations now also enrich the text throughout, making this the essential guide to the history of a fascinating continent and its peoples.
- GenresHistoryNonfictionAsia
332 pages, Paperback
First published May 1, 2000
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
April 18, 2021
I had to quit reading this book because it quite literally made my skin crawl.
In this work the author sets out to give a concise introduction to the history of several countries in Asia in about 336 pages. While his work is easy to read and gives an outline of different parts of the history of countries such as China, India, Indonesia and Japan this book has a lot of short-comings.
One of them is the overall negative tone and orientalist view on several topics and events of the author. Such as calling the chador an 'ugly and cumbersome all-over robe' and bushido a 'so-called cult of honour'.
The last chapter that I read is called: The three makers of Japan and the Tokugawa period'
In this chapter the author describes the period of the three unifiers of Japan and the Tokugawa shogunate. However if you are not familiar with who these three historical figures are, then by the end of this chapter you will still have no clue which of the several historical figures motioned, often addressed by their first name, actually are the three unifiers. Moreover, the author fails to illustrate why they are seen as the three unifiers and some of their efforts which led to unification of Japan. Instead, the author gives more importance to the details of torture methods and the oppression of Christians in Japan.
I do not recommend this book for studying purposes or as a reference work.
In this work the author sets out to give a concise introduction to the history of several countries in Asia in about 336 pages. While his work is easy to read and gives an outline of different parts of the history of countries such as China, India, Indonesia and Japan this book has a lot of short-comings.
One of them is the overall negative tone and orientalist view on several topics and events of the author. Such as calling the chador an 'ugly and cumbersome all-over robe' and bushido a 'so-called cult of honour'.
The last chapter that I read is called: The three makers of Japan and the Tokugawa period'
In this chapter the author describes the period of the three unifiers of Japan and the Tokugawa shogunate. However if you are not familiar with who these three historical figures are, then by the end of this chapter you will still have no clue which of the several historical figures motioned, often addressed by their first name, actually are the three unifiers. Moreover, the author fails to illustrate why they are seen as the three unifiers and some of their efforts which led to unification of Japan. Instead, the author gives more importance to the details of torture methods and the oppression of Christians in Japan.
I do not recommend this book for studying purposes or as a reference work.
April 20, 2013
a colonialist's view of Asian history. ..
March 17, 2021
Uma boa leitura introdutória sobre um continente tão diverso e fascinante.
Mesmo sendo uma sistematização mais rápida da história, ainda consegue ser interessante e recheada de fatos. A organização do livro, com a primeira parte dedicada ao mundo antigo, a segunda à influência imperialista, e a terceira às nações modernas, é lógica e ajuda muito o leitor. O autor é bem informado e ajuda o leitor a passar pelo turbilhão de fatos.
Como pontos negativos, a linguagem pode ser chata. Foi uma leitura lenta para mim, isso que adoro o tópico. Ao mesmo tempo, como é, justamente, uma história resumida, alguns tópicos parecem ser explorados muito rapidamente. Mas é do jogo.
Fica o destaque para os capítulos acerca de China e Japão, principalmente na relação destes entre si e com o ocidente. Entender os movimentos históricos, as dinastias, e como eles informam tendências sociais até hoje é fantástico.
Que venham outras.
Mesmo sendo uma sistematização mais rápida da história, ainda consegue ser interessante e recheada de fatos. A organização do livro, com a primeira parte dedicada ao mundo antigo, a segunda à influência imperialista, e a terceira às nações modernas, é lógica e ajuda muito o leitor. O autor é bem informado e ajuda o leitor a passar pelo turbilhão de fatos.
Como pontos negativos, a linguagem pode ser chata. Foi uma leitura lenta para mim, isso que adoro o tópico. Ao mesmo tempo, como é, justamente, uma história resumida, alguns tópicos parecem ser explorados muito rapidamente. Mas é do jogo.
Fica o destaque para os capítulos acerca de China e Japão, principalmente na relação destes entre si e com o ocidente. Entender os movimentos históricos, as dinastias, e como eles informam tendências sociais até hoje é fantástico.
Que venham outras.
August 24, 2025
L'ho trovato molto molto bene fatto. Riassumere in un libretto la storia fino a d oggi di tanti paesi asiatici non è facile ( è escluso il medio oriente). Di molti avevo letto ampi tomi di storia ( Cina, India..), di altri sintesi tipo Lonely Planet. Questo mi ha aggiornata, mi ha aggiunto molte informazioni che ignoravo e per le epoche più recenti ha confermato la cronaca che ho seguiti nel tempo. L'ho scambiato con 9 altri libri..
May 7, 2012
For anyone looking to get more than just a glance at some gorgeous history, this is a great starting point. Although the book claims to be a short history, one should already have a decent understanding of at least one of the countries in which to weave this intricate web of history around. In my case, my focus is Korea.
Allow this book to be the launching point in which to study a specific region or country. It lays the groundwork for future study by being brief yet detailed. The author holds your attention just long enough to paint a beautiful portrait.
Speaking of the author, if anyone should be qualified to write this book, it's Colin Mason. His journalistic approach to writing is elegant, thoughtful and diplomatic. Not to mention his personal stories that accompany some of the most interesting moments in modern Asian history. He keeps his opinions fairly grounded and objectively presents a striking history.
The book's faults include a horribly messy map, a small handful of unrelated photos and an occasional reference of huge importance that gets only two sentences. Otherwise, this chronological look at Asia is well worth your time.
Allow this book to be the launching point in which to study a specific region or country. It lays the groundwork for future study by being brief yet detailed. The author holds your attention just long enough to paint a beautiful portrait.
Speaking of the author, if anyone should be qualified to write this book, it's Colin Mason. His journalistic approach to writing is elegant, thoughtful and diplomatic. Not to mention his personal stories that accompany some of the most interesting moments in modern Asian history. He keeps his opinions fairly grounded and objectively presents a striking history.
The book's faults include a horribly messy map, a small handful of unrelated photos and an occasional reference of huge importance that gets only two sentences. Otherwise, this chronological look at Asia is well worth your time.
July 19, 2009
Survey books inevitably suffer a catch-22 in their evaluation: They always feel too cursory and lacking the depth to make their information really satisfying, but if they included more depth, they would shortly cease to be a survey.
Given that challenge, this book adequately served the purpose for which I read it: providing some broad (if necessarily shallow) information on the history of Asia, particularly filling in the gaps regarding Asia outside of the Big Three (India, China, and Japan) and prior to the last thirty years.
Given that challenge, this book adequately served the purpose for which I read it: providing some broad (if necessarily shallow) information on the history of Asia, particularly filling in the gaps regarding Asia outside of the Big Three (India, China, and Japan) and prior to the last thirty years.
December 16, 2008
This history is superbly organized & clearly written. The author knows exactly what to include & how to connect it to everything else. Every utterance is revealing. There isn't a single wasted paragraph & many seem to contain within them an entire book. Also, individual chapters can be read alone with the equal benefit.
Oh, but the maps are terrible. There is no differentiation between the lines of rivers & those of international borders, &c.
Oh, but the maps are terrible. There is no differentiation between the lines of rivers & those of international borders, &c.
January 18, 2008
A highly readable, useful, interesting history. I find myself returning to this book repeatedly. It is concise without slighting its (vast) subject. A serious book without fluff, and a pleasure to read.
May 20, 2014
A good, informative place to start on any quest to better understand this region of the world, particularly if one wants to better understand today's global political and economic situation.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews