- Hardcover: 816 pages
- Publisher: Allen Lane; illustrated edition edition (29 May 2008)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0713998326
- ISBN-13: 978-0713998320
- Product Dimensions: 23.4 x 15.8 x 5.4 cm
- Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 414,165 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
The Penguin History of Modern China
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Product Description
Sunday Telegraph
`[Fenby's] book is a miracle of thoroughness, truthfulness and readability - the perfect primer for a time when China is about to enter all our lives.'
Times
'Fenby excels at weaving the strands of his complex narrative into heroic and more often harrowing tales. There are sharp pen portraits of the heroes and (mostly) villains of the piece ... Fenby's enthusiasm is infectious'
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
You know what you are getting when you sit down to read a Penguin history - something with depth, a huge amount of information, but also a book that can try to fit too much into a one volume history.
Modern China was no exception to this. It's a fascinating book on a country that we all should know more about, but it suffers in places from too many names and too many places, making it difficult to keep up with who was doing what to whom, particularly in the period between the two World Wars when sides seemingly kept changing.
This book does do a marvellous job of taking you from the end of the imperial era right up to the present day, outlining the evolution of Chinese Communism and the characters that shaped it. The author does an excellent job of sifting through the sources with their various biases and presents a balanced history, pointing out the gains that China has made under it's current systems as well as the usual flaws that commentators in the West like to point out.
If you're a history fan and want a primer for modern China, this is definitely the book to read, but be prepared for it to take a while to get throu
Modern China was no exception to this. It's a fascinating book on a country that we all should know more about, but it suffers in places from too many names and too many places, making it difficult to keep up with who was doing what to whom, particularly in the period between the two World Wars when sides seemingly kept changing.
This book does do a marvellous job of taking you from the end of the imperial era right up to the present day, outlining the evolution of Chinese Communism and the characters that shaped it. The author does an excellent job of sifting through the sources with their various biases and presents a balanced history, pointing out the gains that China has made under it's current systems as well as the usual flaws that commentators in the West like to point out.
If you're a history fan and want a primer for modern China, this is definitely the book to read, but be prepared for it to take a while to get throu
25 of 27 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
I wanted to learn about China's modern political history in light of the fact that Beijing was hosting the Olympic Games this year. I stumbled across this book by Johnathan Fenby at my local library and was really quite impressed with what I read. Fenby has written the book in such a way that you can't put it down until you've read an entire chapter! I feel this book has a number of attributes which i'll speak of below:
1) This book is accessible to all: to academics and readers with a general interest in China. This is only the case because Fenby has got the balance right: key events in China's history haven't been talked about in vast amounts of detail to bore the reader, but at the same time the book isn't oversimplified (and in fact is highly informative, as Fenby employs a wide range of resources and statistics).
2) The book is up-to-date. Fenby talks about modern issues in China such as Hu Jintao's vision of a "Peaceful rise in a harmonious world" and China's absorption of huge quantites of metals and oil which is leading to price rises in these commodities. Up-to-date statistics from 2007 and 2008 are included.
3) I think the book is balanced: Fenby doesn't shy away from recounting the full extent of the horrors of the Great Leap Forward, but at the same time puts across clearly how proud Chinese people are today of their country's achievements which have come through economic reform with the CCP at the helm.
4) The book is complete: no major event is left out: Fenby talks about practically all the major events in China's modern political history (from the loss of Hong Kong in the Opium Wars of 1840 to the fall of the last imperial dynasty, to the rise of both Nationalism and Communism in China; China's brief experience of western-style democracy and elections in 1912; War with Japan; the ascendency of Mao and the CCP; economic reforms under Deng Xiaoping, the Tiananmen Square Massacre in 1989; and China under the leadership of modern CCP members such as Jiang Zemin and Hu Jintao). Fenby also mentions how China's international relations with the West (namely the US), Japan and Russia have evolved since the fall of the Qing dynasty.
Before reading Fenby's book, I had read Jung Chang's "Mao The Unknown Story" and felt Fenby's book was an excellent accomplimant: Chang's book gives you a detailed insight into China under Mao, whilst Fenby's book informs the reader of China before Mao and what happened in China after Mao (which has brought China to where it is today: a global economic power).
A thoroughly good read, I look forward to finding books of such a high standard covering political histories for differnt parts of the world.
1) This book is accessible to all: to academics and readers with a general interest in China. This is only the case because Fenby has got the balance right: key events in China's history haven't been talked about in vast amounts of detail to bore the reader, but at the same time the book isn't oversimplified (and in fact is highly informative, as Fenby employs a wide range of resources and statistics).
2) The book is up-to-date. Fenby talks about modern issues in China such as Hu Jintao's vision of a "Peaceful rise in a harmonious world" and China's absorption of huge quantites of metals and oil which is leading to price rises in these commodities. Up-to-date statistics from 2007 and 2008 are included.
3) I think the book is balanced: Fenby doesn't shy away from recounting the full extent of the horrors of the Great Leap Forward, but at the same time puts across clearly how proud Chinese people are today of their country's achievements which have come through economic reform with the CCP at the helm.
4) The book is complete: no major event is left out: Fenby talks about practically all the major events in China's modern political history (from the loss of Hong Kong in the Opium Wars of 1840 to the fall of the last imperial dynasty, to the rise of both Nationalism and Communism in China; China's brief experience of western-style democracy and elections in 1912; War with Japan; the ascendency of Mao and the CCP; economic reforms under Deng Xiaoping, the Tiananmen Square Massacre in 1989; and China under the leadership of modern CCP members such as Jiang Zemin and Hu Jintao). Fenby also mentions how China's international relations with the West (namely the US), Japan and Russia have evolved since the fall of the Qing dynasty.
Before reading Fenby's book, I had read Jung Chang's "Mao The Unknown Story" and felt Fenby's book was an excellent accomplimant: Chang's book gives you a detailed insight into China under Mao, whilst Fenby's book informs the reader of China before Mao and what happened in China after Mao (which has brought China to where it is today: a global economic power).
A thoroughly good read, I look forward to finding books of such a high standard covering political histories for differnt parts of the world.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase
This substantial book is an impressive and detailed history of modern China from the last days of the Qing dynasty in the late 1800's to the present day (2009) under Hu Jintao and Wen Jibao.
It paints a detailed picture of each phase, with periodic references back which contrast and compare each movement with earlier incidents or periods. It describes the influences of the various foreign powers who had designs on China - notably Britain and France (Britain's insistence on the Opium trade being a notable shameful incident), and later the Japanese who sought to conquer the country, but only managed to control Manchuria despite forays further south and west. The story continues with the parallel development of the Nationalists under Chiang Kai-Shek and the slow growth of the communist party philosophy and apparatus under Mao Zedong and his various lieutenants - most notably, Zhou Enlai. Again China learns to deal with external powers - but now mainly perhaps Russia and the United States.
Each period is described in quite impressive detail with much reference to the key protagonists of each phase and philosophy - drawing on numerous references and newspaper articles. Perhaps this mass of researched detail of the people involved and their power manoeuvrings is one of the major strengths of this book.
The Cultural Revolution and the conflicts behind it are dispassionately recounted - and the story of the cruelty of Mao unfolds to reveal abuses and inhumanity easily the equal of that displayed by the Japanese in the Rape of Nanjing. This shows, as in earlier periods, but perhaps on a greater scale, how lowly was human life valued in the march to the "ideal" of the Nation and the party. As with other leaders in other times and places, the picture emerges of Mao losing his mind and faculties but still bitterly self obsessed and quite unable to cope with the realities of an emerging superpower - despite his success in creating (at least the appearance of) an integrated nation in a way that Chang Kai-Shek was never able to do.
Prominent amongst the later scenarios are two chapters on the uprisings and arguments which led to the June 4th massacre in Tiannamen Square and beyond. The disruption and "turmoil" of this period extended from April 1979 to the final denoument in June, and was accompanied by similar unrest in major cities across the country. The book documents numerous behind the scenes meetings both within the Party and between the students and the Party, again identifying by name those closely involved. Passing reference at this stage is made to the "new guard" - in particular Hu Jintao, who was at this time earning his spurs by suppressing an uprising in Tibet.
In a later phase the reform of Deng Xiaoping is described as he tries to wrestle with bringing the country up to date and to incorporate the best ideas from around the world rather than exclude them on principle.
In the concluding chapters, the rise of the new technocrats is outlined with more biographical detail of Hu and Wen, and some the new generation.
The book includes numerous references, a useful list of the key players of the periods and a range of illustrations. Although clearly not designed for the purely casual reader, this book is an outstanding read for those with a real interest in the development of China.
Conversion to electronic form could be better with some instances of words run on together - sometimes for a whole line, but this doesn't really affect the enjoyment and educational value of this striking book.
It paints a detailed picture of each phase, with periodic references back which contrast and compare each movement with earlier incidents or periods. It describes the influences of the various foreign powers who had designs on China - notably Britain and France (Britain's insistence on the Opium trade being a notable shameful incident), and later the Japanese who sought to conquer the country, but only managed to control Manchuria despite forays further south and west. The story continues with the parallel development of the Nationalists under Chiang Kai-Shek and the slow growth of the communist party philosophy and apparatus under Mao Zedong and his various lieutenants - most notably, Zhou Enlai. Again China learns to deal with external powers - but now mainly perhaps Russia and the United States.
Each period is described in quite impressive detail with much reference to the key protagonists of each phase and philosophy - drawing on numerous references and newspaper articles. Perhaps this mass of researched detail of the people involved and their power manoeuvrings is one of the major strengths of this book.
The Cultural Revolution and the conflicts behind it are dispassionately recounted - and the story of the cruelty of Mao unfolds to reveal abuses and inhumanity easily the equal of that displayed by the Japanese in the Rape of Nanjing. This shows, as in earlier periods, but perhaps on a greater scale, how lowly was human life valued in the march to the "ideal" of the Nation and the party. As with other leaders in other times and places, the picture emerges of Mao losing his mind and faculties but still bitterly self obsessed and quite unable to cope with the realities of an emerging superpower - despite his success in creating (at least the appearance of) an integrated nation in a way that Chang Kai-Shek was never able to do.
Prominent amongst the later scenarios are two chapters on the uprisings and arguments which led to the June 4th massacre in Tiannamen Square and beyond. The disruption and "turmoil" of this period extended from April 1979 to the final denoument in June, and was accompanied by similar unrest in major cities across the country. The book documents numerous behind the scenes meetings both within the Party and between the students and the Party, again identifying by name those closely involved. Passing reference at this stage is made to the "new guard" - in particular Hu Jintao, who was at this time earning his spurs by suppressing an uprising in Tibet.
In a later phase the reform of Deng Xiaoping is described as he tries to wrestle with bringing the country up to date and to incorporate the best ideas from around the world rather than exclude them on principle.
In the concluding chapters, the rise of the new technocrats is outlined with more biographical detail of Hu and Wen, and some the new generation.
The book includes numerous references, a useful list of the key players of the periods and a range of illustrations. Although clearly not designed for the purely casual reader, this book is an outstanding read for those with a real interest in the development of China.
Conversion to electronic form could be better with some instances of words run on together - sometimes for a whole line, but this doesn't really affect the enjoyment and educational value of this striking book.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
feekie's review
This book is very impressive, it is such a long and difficult subject to write about but from the small amount I have yet read Jonathan Fenby has made a very good job.
Published 1 month ago by feekie
Unreadable
I was attracted to this book because of its excellent reviews in the press. But I'm afraid, this book is unreadable and written in a rushed, hasty way. Read more
Published 4 months ago by Gertrude
A chronicle of seriously cruel politics
This is a huge book, describing almost every major twist and turn in Chinese politics for the past 150 years. Read more
Published 8 months ago by Brian Griffith
Very well-written introduction to modern Chinese history
Fenby is a journalist,not a historian,so that accounts for this book being an easy read for the non-Sinologist. Read more
Published 10 months ago by PygmyTwylyte
Perhaps the best volume on Modern China money can buy!
A staggering, vast volume, chronicling a decisive era of not only Chinese, but also, world history, Fenby's History delivers a detailed, enlightening, and thoroughly readable... Read more
Published 15 months ago by A. J. Smith
Dense and Dull
I have yet to read a book that convincingly explains how the teetering Manchu-dominated empire of the mid-19th century was eventually transformed into a republic, a Communist... Read more
Published 19 months ago by John Fitzpatrick
good introduction to modern chinese history
As a Chinese born in the 80s Beijing and lived under the state propaganda until 16, I have only recently realized that I probably have a skewed view of China from the... Read more
Published 23 months ago by geek in heels
Excellent, informative and detailed
Jonathan Fenby has produced a reliable and detailed text on an incredibly broad area of history. I am currently studying China in the 20th Century as part of my A Level History... Read more
Published on 22 Jan 2010 by E. Love
The Penguin History of Modern China
Replete with information, this superb account of China's rise will find a wide readership. Beginners should read the book in parts as they may find the wealth of facts... Read more
Published on 9 Nov 2009 by Dr. Martin McCauley
Informative, useful text.
This is a useful account of an important part of the Cold War. It also prepares us for a deeper understanding of a nation on the brink of change and further world involvement. Read more
Published on 14 July 2009 by .
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