By researching the full range of China's relationships, including Southeast Asia, Korea, and Japan, as well as nomadic troubles, David C. Kang balances the perspective of the whole regional picture. A remarkable achievement. -- Brantly Womack, University of Virginia
In a fascinating and deeply illuminating sequel to his acclaimed China Rising, David C. Kang challenges the Eurocentric bias of American and European theories of international relations. With apologies to Rudyard Kipling, Kang's main message is that 'East is East and West is West and sometimes the twain shall meet,' and he delivers it through smart arguments, great imagination, and compelling historical synthesis. All serious students of international relations, from both East and West, will have to come to terms with Kang's provocative arguments. -- Peter Katzenstein, Cornell University
David C. Kang has written a concise, well-judged, and most useful analysis of the historical East Asian international system and its three principles of hierarchy, status, and hegemony. In so doing, he demolishes the American discourse of 'realism,' which assumes that all states on the planet behave in the same way. With a plethora of books on 'the rise of China,' Kang's study is also essential reading for understanding the formation of the East Asian system, its contemporary functioning, and the arc of its future. -- Bruce Cumings, University of Chicago, author of Dominion From Sea to Sea: Pacific Ascendancy and American Power
Important in maintaining the ongoing discussion on whether or not there is something distinctive about interstate conduct in East Asia... immensely enjoyable and informative in its rich historical detail. -- Oliver Hensengerth, International Affairs
His study assuredly renews the debate on a contested topic in both East Asian and global history. Highly recommended., Choice
This is a brilliant book, rare for a political scientists, and a must-read for experts and the general public alike., Survival
Consistently intelligent... [East Asia Before the West] is one of the most stimulating books to appear in the past decade. -- Valerie Hansen, H-Asia
East Asia Before the West is an elegant mixture of political science and history.Global Asia -- John Delury, Global Asia
In his micro analysis, Kang has offered a provocative thesis, which will stimulate much analysis and discussion of traditional foreign relations in East Asia. -- Morris Rossabi, Political Science Quarterly
I recommend to anyone with a shaky grasp of East Asian history...quite a thoughtful book, and well worth your time -- Stephen M. Walt "A Realist in an Ideological Age", Foreign Policy Blog
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