The Penguin History of Modern China - 3rd Edition by Jonathan Fenby (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

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.

Review Quotes

"[It] reads like a novel and is never less than thoughtful and compassionate for the fate of a much-abused people . . . [Fenby has] a journalist's eye for telling detail." --Herald

"A wonderful history of modern China and a cracking good read." --Chris Patten, Chancellor, University of Oxford

"For an accessible, authoritative, fair and comprehensive and well written account, this would be hard to better." --BBC History

"His book is a miracle of thoroughness, truthfulness and readability--the perfect primer for a time when China is about to enter all our lives." --Sunday Telegraph

"Jonathan Fenby's . . . illuminating book [is] the first major history that looks at the country with the eyes of the 21st century rather than the 20th." --FT

"Taut, anecdote-studded ... a great introduction for a general audience, with vivid scene setting and character sketches." --Sunday Times

About the Author

Jonathan Fenby has edited the Observer, the South China Morning Post, and Reuters World Service as well as holding senior positions at the Economist, Independent, and Guardian. His books include Generalissimo, Dealing with the Dragon, The General, The History of Modern France, and Tiger Head, Snake Tails. He is currently Managing Partner and China Director of the analytical service Trusted Sources. He was a made a Commander of the British Empire in 2000 for services to journalism and is a knight of both the Legion d'honneur and the French Order of Merit.