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" It may be used as a textbook, but the book nonetheless has a compelling narrative flow. "
- Erica, 2/10/2014
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" No other survey on the subject touches this, and if you're enrolled in a class pertaining to modern China, you'll no doubt encounter it. For the more casual reader, Spence's "biographies" are the place to go (Mao, Kangxi, Return to Dragon Mountain, Hong Xiuquan). "
- Frosh, 2/6/2014
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" Seems like a good comprehensive review of Chinese history, I was particularly interested in the last chapters that deal with the beginnings of the communist rise to power and the battles with the Kuomintang. "
- Patty, 1/23/2014
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" A scholarly and detailed history of the twentieth century in China. Well-written and well-researched, it has been a useful tool for personal study and academic work. "
- James, 1/1/2014
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" An excellent and easily readable overview of the past 300 years of Chinese history. One could always complain that it's too American(/Western)-biased but it's probably the best you can get. It's about time for the 3rd edition or a follow-up. "
- Ede, 12/25/2013
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" Outstanding history of modern China. Highly recommend. "
- John, 12/23/2013
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" 728 pages of Ming dynasty through present day Chinese politics. "
- Elizabeth, 12/22/2013
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" REALLY well written book. We were assigned it in a course on the history of Modern China. More history books should be this well written. "
- Rebecca, 12/17/2013
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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. "
- R., 10/22/2013
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" text-booky, but thorough - a good place to start for a scholarly intro to Chinese history "
- R., 10/10/2013
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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. "
- Jake, 9/20/2013
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" 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... "
- NRoe, 9/13/2013
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" i haven't even finished this yet but it's amazing so far. A+++++ spence is also a phenomenal lecturer. "
- Jane, 8/20/2013
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" The essential reference book on modern Chinese history. "
- Britt, 8/16/2013
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" Really long but shockingly easy to digest. More of a story history book than a reference history book, but fatter. "
- Katie, 7/13/2013
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" Immense and impressive, the likes of it will never be seen in this land again! "
- Jason, 6/20/2013
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" 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. "
- Patrick, 4/23/2013
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" A great history book for anyone who wants to know why China is the way it is today. "
- Mark, 3/30/2013
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" I read this book while doing multiple courses at Harvard University on China. "
- Larry, 1/5/2013
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" 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. "
- Ryan, 12/26/2012
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