The Cambridge Illustrated History of China

The  Cambridge Illustrated History of China is an illuminating account of  the full sweep of Chinese civilisation – from prehistoric times to the  intellectual ferment of the Warring States Period, through the rise and  fall of the imperial dynasties, to the modern communist state. Written  by a leading scholar and lavishly illustrated, its narrative draws  together everything from the influence of key intellectual figures, to  political innovations, art and material culture, family and religious  life, not to mention wars and modern conflicts. This third revised  edition includes new archaeological discoveries and gives fuller  treatment of environmental history and Chinese interaction with the  wider world, placing China in global context. The Qing dynasty is now  covered in two chapters, while the final chapter brings the story into  the twenty-first century, covering the transformation of China into one  of the world's leading economies and the challenges it faces. Lively and  highly visual, this book will be appreciated by anyone interested in  Chinese history.