The Cambridge Handbook of Contemporary China [Paperback]

Colin Mackerras (Author), Amanda Yorke (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 31, 1992

The paradox of contemporary China--its openness to Western technology, yet its rejection of Western democratic ideals--serves to make China appear remote and inaccessible to those outside. The country's vast area and population only accentuate these difficulties. The Cambridge Handbook of Contemporary China draws from numerous sources, official and otherwise, to present up-to-date information on all aspects of Chinese life since 1949, with particular emphasis on the past decade. The Handbook is well-organized, clear and compact; its major strength is its contemporary focus and easy-to-use format. Useful maps and tabled statistics accompany the text, which is divided into clearly defined categories, including political and legal structures, biography, foreign relations, the economy, population, culture and society as well as a detailed chronology, a gazetteer and a helpful bibliographic section.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

YA-- Arranged by broad subject categories, this is an excellent, in-depth reference source. Contemporary is defined as post 1949, with an emphasis on the years since 1980. Students of government will find the detailed information on politics, biographies of key political figures, foreign relations, and economics particularly helpful. Advanced geography students might use the population, gazetteer, and cultural sections. The writing style is crisp and to the point (some sections are written in incomplete sentences). The authors do assume that readers have some prior knowledge of the country and customs. Simple black-and-white maps are easy to use. Statistical data generally dating from the mid-1980s is given with numerous graphs, tables, and charts. The index is detailed and enables one to relate information from one section to another. --Claudia Moore, W. T. Woodson High School, Fairfax, VA
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Review

"...useful, up-to-date source on the world's largest country." Booklist/RRB

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 276 pages
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press (January 31, 1992)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0521387558
• ISBN-13: 978-0521387552
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 6.2 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.6 ounces
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,949,322 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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