Chinese History, Volume 1

“Already the size of a telephone directory by the time of its fifth edition, in 2018, Wilkinson’s perennially popular Chinese History: A New Manual has now expanded still further into two volumes, with newly written introductions to each section, additions throughout, links to much recent scholarship, and new chapters that bring its account forward to the end of the Maoist era… An essential reference for even the most casual sinologist, with its pithy explanations of key historical and cultural issues, and extensive bibliographies for those who want to delve deeper.”—Peter Neville-Hadley, South China Morning Post

“A magnificent achievement; the most valuable English-language reference book on China anywhere.”—Richard J. Smith

Praise for previous editions:

“Wilkinson displays a mastery of a vast array of topics and subfields… No one undertaking serious research about Chinese history…should be without it.”—Bruce Rusk, Journal of Asian Studies [regarding the 2017 edition]

“A unique resource. A must for every serious student of Chinese history and culture.”—Victor H. Mair, Professor of Chinese Language and Literature, University of Pennsylvania [regarding the 2015 edition]

“The book is in every way absolutely indispensable to work in Chinese history.”—Carla Nappi, New Books in East Asian Studies [regarding the 2013 edition]

“A mighty book…magnificent.”—Jonathan Mirsky, New York Review of Books blog [regarding the 2013 edition]

“[A] thoroughly revised and updated edition of eminent Chinese history expert Dr. Endymion Wilkinson’s classic text… An important reference text for anyone wanting to understand how China became what it is today—and where it might be headed.”—William Yeoman, West Australian [regarding the 2013 edition]

“Endymion Wilkinson has created an extremely useful navigational guide in English to the vast ocean of China’s long traditional civilization. Because of its many strong points it can be considered one of a kind, a unique work… There are numerous points that distinguish this manual as a work of the first rank, a collection that will be utilized and referenced by scholars for decades to come.”—Ronald Suleski, China Review International [regarding the 2000 edition]

“The content of this book is extremely rich… One has to admire the effort and ability the author has shown in tracing down some of the obscure publications from less well-known publishers… This book will doubtless become the essential buyers’ guide for every librarian of sinology for months to come!”—Wang Tao, Journal of the Royal Asiatic Society [regarding the 2000 edition]