The Cambridge History of China, Vol. 12: Republican China, 1912-1949, Part 1 [Hardcover]

John K. Fairbank (Editor), Denis Twitchett (Editor)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0521235413 | ISBN-13: 978-0521235419 | Publication Date: September 30, 1983

This is the first of two volumes of this authoritative Cambridge history which review the Republican period, between the demise of imperial China and the establishment of the People's Republic. These years from 1912 to 1949 were marked by civil war, revolution and invasion; but also by change and growth in the economic, social, intellectual and cultural spheres. The chapters in this volume represent new syntheses by leading scholars concerned with Republican China. They examine economic trends in the period and the rise of the new middle class. Intellectual trends are surveyed to show the changes in traditional Chinese values and the foreign influences which played a major role in Republican China. Political development and events are traced until 1928; and the second, companion volume will complete the historical coverage. An introduction by John K. Fairbank placed the period in the context of international trade and influence. Although it is written by specialists, the goals and approach of this Cambridge history are to explain and discuss republican China for an audience which will include scholars, students and general readers who do not have special knowledge of Chinese history. It will be useful both as narrative history and as a reference source on the history and politics of China.

Editorial Reviews

Book Description

This is the first of two volumes of this authoritative Cambridge history which review the Republican period, between the demise of imperial China and the establishment of the People's Republic. It will be useful both as narrative history and as a reference source on the history and politics of China.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 1120 pages
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press (September 30, 1983)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0521235413
• ISBN-13: 978-0521235419
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 5.6 x 2.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #801,901 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Serious history, December 21, 2007

By 

usabear "eclectic one" (California) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Cambridge History of China, Vol. 12: Republican China, 1912-1949, Part 1 (Hardcover)

This volume is an important addition to any library for those who are serious students of Chinese History. The writing, as with all volumes in this series, is extremely dry and monotonous. Thus, unless one is heavily invested in such histories, it would not provide interesting reading. The most serious gaff, however, is the editors continued use of Wade-Giles for Chinese language and name translation. There is no excuse for this. Anyone who is serious enough to read these volumes would have to have made the transition to Pinyin some time ago. That the editors refuse to adapt might be an indication of their own biases. If the writing were more entertaining (- one star) and if the editors had used Pinyin (- one star), the book could have reached a five-star rating.