The Shortest History of China

China’s past is key to understanding the modern world. In The Shortest History of China, Linda Jaivin masterfully distils thousands of years of Chinese history into an absorbing, concise narrative. Spanning dynasties, revolutions, and the rise of the People’s Republic, this book offers readers a panoramic view of a civilisation teeming with complexity, diversity, and transformative power.

From kung-fu to tofu, tea to trade routes, sages to silk, China’s influence on global cuisine, commerce, military strategy, aesthetics, and philosophy is immeasurable. For millennia, the annals of Chinese history have overflowed with compelling tales of heroes who were also villains, prosperous eras punctuated by violent rebellions, cultural vibrancy opposing censorious impulses, and a succession of rebels, loyalists, dissidents, and wits. Notably, the narratives of Chinese women, from the earliest warriors to twentieth-century suffragettes, have often been overshadowed, but Jaivin ensures their stories are brought to light.

Moreover, the spectres of corruption and disunity, which have undermined numerous powerful dynasties, continue to haunt the People's Republic of China today. Modern China is perceived variously as an economic powerhouse, an icon of urbanisation, a propaganda state, or an aggressive superpower with aspirations of global dominance. Linda Jaivin skillfully condenses a vast historical expanse into a readable account, presenting essential knowledge from China’s ancient philosophical origins to its intricate political system, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the foreseeable global role of the PRC.

Readers will journey through pivotal epochs in Chinese history, from the unification under the Qin, marked by tyranny and ambition, to the sophisticated epochs of the Han and Tang dynasties; from the tumultuous era of the Three Kingdoms to the cultural achievements and decay of the Ming; from the Manchu Qing dynasty's struggles towards modernity to the Republic’s high aspirations and subsequent betrayals; and through the cataclysmic invasions leading up to the divisive civil war that shaped modern China. The Mao years of continuous revolution lay the groundwork for the Reform Era's economic boom and the complex challenges of the contemporary era under Xi Jinping.

Critics have praised The Shortest History of China for its brisk, engaging style and profound erudition:

“An electrifying and erudite ride through Chinese history - Linda Jaivin has written an illuminating history book that is also a real page-turner.” – Alice Pung, author of Unpolished Gem and Her Father's Daughter

“Read this in a fever-fuelled blitz, look up and I promise you China - and indeed, the world - will make more sense.” – Benjamin Law, author of The Family Law and Gaysia

“War, revolution, rise and fall, emperors, tyrants - China is more than a nation and bigger than a myth. It demands a great storyteller, and in Linda Jaivin, it has one.” – Stan Grant

Linda Jaivin's storytelling prowess ensures that The Shortest History of China is not just a history book, but an enthralling journey that will transform readers' perspectives on China and the world.