China: A History (Volume 1): From Neolithic Cultures through the Great Qing Empire, (10,000 BCE - 1799 CE)

After reading Harold M. Tanner’s China: A History (Volume 1) in full, I found it to be one of the most satisfying single-volume introductions to Chinese history I have read. Tanner presents a clear, engaging, and continuous narrative from Neolithic cultures through the end of the Qing dynasty in 1799. The book is consistently readable and maintains a strong sense of chronological historical flow without becoming fragmented or overly thematic, that held my attention throughout. I also appreciated the supporting materials, including multiple maps and illustrations, primary sources, helpful footnotes, and a detailed index, all of which enhance the learning experience without interrupting the narrative. Overall, this is an excellent overview of China’s long history. It is well written, engaging, accessible, quasi scholarly and left me wanting to continue exploring the subject further, Tanner simply cannot be outdone as outlined.

This book was truly an excellent overview of Chinese history up to about 1800 and I'm looking forward to reading the second volume. My only complaint is that it was a bit dry, discussion massacres of thousands of people in the same tone as literary accomplishments. You have to read it very closely to pick out the drama, of which there has been tons in the history of China. On the other hand, it tried hard to be very even handed and was quite up front about it. I'm more likely to go back and read more specific colorful histories now that I have the overall outline of what happened.

Heavy with detail, this is almost an academic's history. I felt I was being treated with respect, that the author was not being condescending to the intellect of a non-historian. The chronology is clear enough that one doesn't lose one's place in the millennia through which Chinese culture progressed, floundered, and reinvented itself, time after time.

Whirlwind history of China. I think its a good starting point as a backgrounder from which you can go deeper into specific times. I bought this for Kindle. Mostly text but the maps are hard to read. Paper would be better.

The book is very detailed but well written so that it is not too boring. A good read for a history book.

Excellent, concise, recent history that takes the reader from the earliest times up to the present. Perfect for anyone who wants a comprehensive and well-written overview of Chinese history and civilization.

This book covers the history of China to about 1800. I'm not a big fan of reading history, but I wanted to know more about Chinese history, recognizing what a huge subject that is and how little I knew about it previously. This book was just what I was looking for. It covers the key people, the expanding/shrinking empires, major culture trends, and of course the history, at a deep enough level so it made sense, but not so deep that I got lost in it. It's somewhat confusing, but that's more do to the complexity of the subject matter and my ignorance than any fault of the book. I would recommend it.

This was everything I wanted it to be. The book is perfect for someone like me who is not looking to earn a doctorate in Chinese history but gain a fundamental understanding of the history of the nation. I highly recommend this two part series.

I didnt like this book. The book covers many aspects of a very long period of a large country and nation but it felt a little soulless. Its more like a book for passing exams than to learn about and appreciate China. Ill look elsewhere to understand China.

I have not finished it. The detail is amazing, a very good buy.

Mi aspettavo di più. Nel libro sono inserite molte considerazioni sulla Cina moderna. Praticamente nessun riferimento a documentazione storica di autori cinesi.

This is a great work that I found very handy in my studies on Chinese history. I own other books that cover specific era in more detail, but this provides an interesting perspective and a complete overview. I highly recommend it!

This book gave me knowlege I will appreciate about this FANTASTIC Country and its people I did not even think to consider. The History of agriculture for example is 10,000 years old. 8,000 BCE WOW. This book is packed with stories you will appreciate.