China: A History

Extensively researched. Well written.

John Keay is a master. Although a bit of a difficult book to comprehend straightaway if you are not well versed with Chinese History. May require rereading and frequent turning back of pages to follow the chain of thought.However the quality of the print and small size wordings are a let down.So 5 stars for the book but 2 stars for the print.

An excellent introduction to the long and often complex history of China. John Keay has, just as in his single volume history of India, covered a vast field, and while taking care of all the major civilisational currents, managed to be succint--as one must needs be if one covers four thousand years of recorded history in one volume--without becoming superficial at any time..

I am very impressed with the package and delivery.Thanks

Before reading this book, I couldn’t even imagine history of China being packed into a single modest volume. But here it is! I had serious apprehensions once the volume arrived. History of China in such a book! I thought, this would be another Western (hence barbarian) endeavour towards inflicting gravest possible injustices upon China (again) in the garb of history.I was wrong.This is truly the BEST introduction a lay reader would prefer before going into serious and period/person- specific studies. It's witty, informed as well as magisterial, and truly overarching in the sense of context.But once the West intervened, the unfolding of history accelerated to dizzying levels, glossing over too many things in too short span. That cost it a star, in my opinion.But it’s an exceptional book, and hence definitely recommended.

For a civilization like China it's difficult to fill in one book. I was disappointed that the author covered the wars only. There is nothing about China's culture , science,or sociaograp . You almost learn nothing of rise of communism , Japanese invasion, Nanking massacre.

Very informative and illuminating. Of course a one volume history of several thousand year.s requires multiple rereadings to absorb properly