A Short History of Asia - 3rd Edition by Colin Mason (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

The nations of Asia now make up more than half of the world's population. With increasingly affluent, educated middle classes and vigorous, innovative industries, they are more populous and powerful than ever before, and their influence on the rest of the world is only growing. Colin Mason provides a clear, readable introduction to their histories and traditions, from the Stone Age right up to the present day.

This thoroughly revised, updated and expanded third edition contains new chapters on Mongolia, Nepal and Bhutan, separate expanded chapters on the South Asian nations, and revised chapters on all the modern states. A new introduction explores the nature and implications of the new politics of 'guided democracy', and the current clash between industrialisation and the consequences of climate change. Enriched with maps and a guide to further reading, this book is the essential guide to the history of a fascinating continent and its peoples.

From the Back Cover

The nations of Asia now make up more than half of the world's population. With increasingly affluent, educated middle classes and vigorous, innovative industries, they are more populous and powerful than ever before, and their influence on the rest of the world is only growing. Colin Mason provides a clear, readable introduction to their history and traditions, from the Stone Age right up to the present day.

This thoroughly revised, updated and expanded third edition contains new chapters on Mongolia, Nepal and Bhutan, separate expanded chapters on the South Asian nations, and revised chapters on all the modern states. A new introduction explores the nature and implications of the new politics of 'guided democracy' and the current clash between industrialisation and the consequences of climate change. Enriched with detailed maps and a guide to further reading, this book is the essential guide to the history of a fascinating continent and its peoples.

Review Quotes

"A comprehensive and accessible survey of the histories and traditions that shaped the vibrant nations of contemporary Asia. Concise and balanced, this valuable new edition proves Colin Mason's ample knowledge of the changes and challenges faced by the region." - Ina Asim, University of Oregon, USA

"An authoritative, well-organised and well-written book." - D. R. SarDesai, University of California Los Angeles, USA

"A former foreign correspondent, broadcaster and diplomat, Mason has actually lived in Asia rather than observed it from afar. With this wealth of experience...he has the confidence to inject anecdote and a real feeling for recent history." - Ed Peters, "South China Morning Post"

Praise for the third edition:
"This is a really good textbook on the history of Asia, fair and balanced, and with a great deal of accurate and interesting detail about the history of Asia. It is very compact and written in an accessible style that will appeal to students. I strongly recommend it." - Colin Mackerras, Griffith University, Australia
"A comprehensive and accessible survey of the histories and traditions that shaped the vibrant nations of contemporary Asia. Concise and balanced, this valuable new edition proves Colin Mason's ample knowledge of the changes and challenges faced by the region." - Ina Asim, University of Oregon, USA
Praise for previous editions:
"An authoritative, well-organised and well-written book." - D. R. SarDesai, University of California Los Angeles, USA
"A former foreign correspondent, broadcaster and diplomat, Mason has actually lived in Asia rather than observed it from afar. With this wealth of experience...he has the confidence to inject anecdote and a real feeling for recent history." - Ed Peters, "South China Morning Post
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"Mason's history reaffirms or reveals many details and also broadly challenges persistent Western approaches to Asian history in an account that roams widely." - "The Sydney Morning Herald
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"The book is quite a remarkable achievement. Mason has covered a great deal of territory and shows that he has both a sense of the current dynamics of Asia and a command of the considerable scholarly literature on the earlier period. The work raises a good many interesting themes to which students would respond positively." - Merle Ricklefs, Australian National University, Australia
"What Mason assembles is a very impressive sweep of the history of a colossal portion of the world where he touches upon the main themes, events and personalities, peppered with numerous interesting stories and personal anecdotes. This ambitious undertaking is lucid and interesting, and most useful for the generalist reader seeking to understand the broad events of Asian history." - Anthony L. Smith, Contemporary Southeast Asia
"This book will benefit all general readers and first-year undergraduates who are embarking on Asian Studies as part of a multi-disciplinary programme." - Burjor Avari, Manchester Metropolitan University, UK
"Succinct, wide ranging and very readable. Ideally suited for the first year undergraduate with little previous exposure to Asian history." - James Chiriyankandath, School of Advanced Study, University of London, UK
"Mason's account is readable and is influenced by his experiences as a foreign correspondent, broadcaster, diplomat and parliamentarian." - Peter Lowe, University of Manchester, UK

About the Author

Colin Mason has been Chief Correspondent in Asia for the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, a diplomat, a senator and leader of his party in the Senate.
Colin Mason has been Chief Correspondent in Asia for the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, a diplomat, a senator and leader of his party in the Senate.