As part of my personal studies on China, I have finished reading a 470 page long book on China called “China: Eine Weltmacht kehrt zurück”. As far as I know, this book has also been published in English, but somehow I cannot find any references to that. Also, there seem to be contradicting publication dates out there, but I think it must have been published in 2000. This has several implications such as that there is no 9/11 discussion, predictions which can be tested for more than 15 years (so beginning 2000) and the impact of the internet is hardly discussed.
I think it is a well written book which enables a thorough introduction in the history of China, going all the way back to the dynasties and how these evolved to what China is today. Most important for that is the discussion of the moral values and political attitudes of the Chinese people and how they changed over time. China is just not as simple as “Dynasty-Mao-Deng-Xiaoping”. Multiple steps took place to make the country what it is today.
The book discusses the historical background in the first few hundred pages and then continues with political and economic critique. At about 70% it lost its breath a bit, but finished overall good.
I recommend this book for when you are interested in understanding China a little bit better and for when you are looking for a detailed introduction to the country from a global politics perspective.
I think it is a well written book which enables a thorough introduction in the history of China, going all the way back to the dynasties and how these evolved to what China is today. Most important for that is the discussion of the moral values and political attitudes of the Chinese people and how they changed over time. China is just not as simple as “Dynasty-Mao-Deng-Xiaoping”. Multiple steps took place to make the country what it is today.
The book discusses the historical background in the first few hundred pages and then continues with political and economic critique. At about 70% it lost its breath a bit, but finished overall good.
I recommend this book for when you are interested in understanding China a little bit better and for when you are looking for a detailed introduction to the country from a global politics perspective.