From the beginning of the Qing Dynasty in the middle of the 17th century to the present time, this compact volume guides the reader through the social, political, and economic vicissitudes of the Chinese nation. Two outstanding features of this work are its emphasis on cross-cultural contacts and the attention it pays to men and women from various walks of life, not merely the well-known figures from the military and government. With its generous assortment of illustrations and numerous helpful references, Modern Chinese History is an ideal text for introductory courses that also include a judicious selection of primary sources. This will be a very attractive volume for all teachers who want to make sure their students get an up to date introduction to the basics, yet also are determined to reserve lots of space on the syllabus for primary sources.