Product Description

The first half of the 20th century was a fascinating and tragic period for China. There were accomplishments, such as the strengthening economy, the improvements in the education system and the status of women, but these were overshadowed by continuing extreme poverty, social misery and a series of crises, many of them bloody. Worst of all, the period saw the Japanese occupation, among the most horrific in all Chinese history.

Professor Mackerras provides and admirably clear and accessible account of the events that defined this very confusing period in China's history.  This new edition takes into account the many new articles and books published on this period and new (formerly unavailable) documents.

The maps, chronology, glossary, bibliography and  guide to further reading will further bring the history alive for readers.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #98806 in Books
• Published on: 2008-07-10
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 216 pages

From the Back Cover

In the first half of the twentieth century, China moved from a millennium of imperial rule to the Communist Party-led People’s Republic of China which remains today.  China in Transformation argues that this enormously significant period in Chinese history saw wrenching change throughout Chinese society amounting to a social, cultural and political transformation. This new, fully revised and updated edition takes full advantage of new research and formerly unavailable material to analyse the fascinating processes of revolution, reform, reaction and change in China during the period. Mackerras:

·        Discusses the wars, occupations and uprisings that marked the period, including the Boxer Rebellion and the Japanese occupation and includes a new chapter on postwar China and the Civil War

·        Examines nation-building and revolutions, including the successful communist movement that has led to the rise of today’s state

·        Acknowledges the prevalence of poverty and famine in the period but also gives space to the areas in which there was progress:  the introduction of mass, secular education, improvements in the status of women, and in a new chapter, details significant developments in culture, literature and theatre

Written in an accessible style, with a rich collection of Documents, Chronology, Glossary, a Guide to Further Reading,and a Who’s Who summarising the careers and contributions of the main figures, this new edition is essential for all those interested in understanding China’s modern history.

Colin Mackerras is a professor emeritus in the Department of International Business and Asian Studies, Griffith University, Queensland. He has written eleven single-authored books about China. He won a Centenary Medal, awarded by the Governor-General of Australia in April 2003 and was appointed an officer in the Order of Australia (AO)in the Queen’s Birthday honours list of June 2007, in both cases for his contribution to education and for his work in Australia-China relations.

About the Author

Colin Mackerras is Professor Emeritus at the Department of International Business and Asian Studies, Griffith University, Queensland, Australia