Reviews
Praise for earlier edition: "Capturing the full sweep of China's tormented history, this succinct yet highly informative chronicle skillfully incorporates the latest research...continually challenges received opinions and conventional interpretations...Roberts keeps up the momentum with shrewd assessments of personalities and events, colorful incidents and interludes covering artistic as well as religious and intellectual developments.-- Publishers Weekly "...a singular accomplishment. An excellent textbook for intelligent undergraduates, this is also accessible to general readers and belongs in all college and larger public libraries."--Steven I. Levine, Library Journal "...a concise, coherent, and unadorned survey of Chinese history. His sharp prose is readable without being condescending to the general reader, and he does an admirable job of explaining the importance and accomplishments of the various dynasties, philosophers, and political and military leaders who have left their mark on Chinese culture."--Jay Freeman, Booklist "A clear trail into a vast, lovely, alluring land."--Kirkus Reviews "This compact and accessible book successfully condenses four millennia of Chinese history into 300 pages...adding sufficient detail and anecdote to provide color and texture. His writing is clear and punchy...an up-to-date and extremely useful introduction to a highly complex subject." --John Stevenson , Amazon.com, Praise for earlier edition: "Capturing the full sweep of China's tormented history, this succinct yet highly informative chronicle skillfully incorporates the latest research...continually challenges received opinions and conventional interpretations...Roberts keeps up the momentum with shrewd assessments of personalities and events, colorful incidents and interludes covering artistic as well as religious and intellectual developments.--Publishers Weekly "...a singular accomplishment. An excellent textbook for intelligent undergraduates, this is also accessible to general readers and belongs in all college and larger public libraries."--Steven I. Levine, Library Journal "...a concise, coherent, and unadorned survey of Chinese history. His sharp prose is readable without being condescending to the general reader, and he does an admirable job of explaining the importance and accomplishments of the various dynasties, philosophers, and political and military leaders who have left their mark on Chinese culture."--Jay Freeman, Booklist "A clear trail into a vast, lovely, alluring land."--Kirkus Reviews "This compact and accessible book successfully condenses four millennia of Chinese history into 300 pages...adding sufficient detail and anecdote to provide color and texture. His writing is clear and punchy...an up-to-date and extremely useful introduction to a highly complex subject."--John Stevenson, Amazon.com, Praise for earlier edition: "Capturing the full sweep of China's tormented history, this succinct yet highly informative chronicle skillfully incorporates the latest research...continually challenges received opinions and conventional interpretations...Roberts keeps up the momentum with shrewd assessments of personalities and events, colorful incidents and interludes covering artistic as well as religious and intellectual developments.--"Publishers Weekly" .,."a singular accomplishment. An excellent textbook for intelligent undergraduates, this is also accessible to general readers and belongs in all college and larger public libraries."--Steven I. Levine, "Library Journal" .,."a concise, coherent, and unadorned survey of Chinese history. His sharp prose is readable without being condescending to the general reader, and he does an admirable job of explaining the importance and accomplishments of the various dynasties, philosophers, and political and military leaders who have left their mark on Chinese culture."--Jay Freeman, "Booklist" "A clear trail into a vast, lovely, alluring land."--Kirkus Reviews"This compact and accessible book successfully condenses four millennia of Chinese history into 300 pages...adding sufficient detail and anecdote to provide color and texture. His writing is clear and punchy...an up-to-date and extremely useful introduction to a highly complex subject.""--John Stevenson," Amazon.com