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Bezig met laden... Modern China: The Fall and Rise of a Great Power, 1850 to the Presentdoor Jonathan Fenby
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Meld je aan bij LibraryThing om erachter te komen of je dit boek goed zult vinden. Op dit moment geen Discussie gesprekken over dit boek. This is an excellent review of modern Chinese history by a British old Chine hand. If it has a flaw, it is that it is an "external" history of China. But on the other hand this makes it more accessible to us westerners because we don't have to know any - or many - background assumptions. The author has a largely conversational writing style, and is detailed without being turgid. The book reads in parts like a horror novel. A theme throughout is that in Chinese history, any period of turmoil, and any period of uncontrolled rule by one man, tend to make life Hell for the average Chinese citizen. Towards the end, Fenby is torn by his hatred of the events in Beijing in 1989, and his abhorence of the effects of disorder in Chinese history. The book leaves off with a pretty level-headed analysis of a country of vast potential that is expanding rapidly yet running fast into the rocks of awkward government structures, a provincial mentality, vast environmental damage, and a severe rural-urban split. A highly recommended read for anyone interested in modern China. geen besprekingen | voeg een bespreking toe
Prijzen
In 1850, China was the "sick man of Asia." Now it is set to become the most powerful nation on earth. The Penguin History of Modern China shows how turbulent that journey has been. For 150 years China has endured as victim of oppression, war, and famine. This makes its current position as arguably the most important global superpower all the more extraordinary. Geen bibliotheekbeschrijvingen gevonden. |
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Google Books — Bezig met laden... GenresDewey Decimale Classificatie (DDC)951.033History and Geography Asia China and region History 1644-1912 (Qing) 1796-1850LC-classificatieWaarderingGemiddelde:
Ben jij dit?Word een LibraryThing Auteur. Penguin AustraliaEen editie van dit boek werd gepubliceerd door Penguin Australia. |
The horrors the author describes are necessary to allow you to appreciate the emphasis the rulers of China place on "stability". From a Western POV we always have default setting against authoritarian regimes, however, we seldom count the cost of the chaos that develops without some form of structure that can hold a country like China together. I'm enough of a Western Liberal, that I find it difficult to accept the costs associated with "stability" but the book certainly forces you to look at the costs associated with a lack of "stability". ( )