Ten Lessons in Modern Chinese History, Paperback

Ten Lessons in Modern Chinese History tells the story of modern China from the Opium Wars in the mid-nineteenth century to the Xi Jinping era.

Using extensive primary sources and newly released photographs, this book introduces students and junior researchers to scholarship and debates in the field of Sinology and beyond. It will enable the reader to understand the relevant issues, navigate through the maze of academic literature, and undertake independent research for essays and dissertations. Ten Lessons also points out gaps and weak points in existing scholarship, in order to encourage future post-graduate studies.

Beginning with Anglo-Chinese trade on the eve of the First Opium War, it goes on to chart the story of China through more than a century of reform, rebellion, war and revolution by examining not just major events and history makers, but the lives of ordinary Chinese people. It offers students with extensive primary sources and newly released photographs.

Designed to be used by university students undertaking the study of Chinese history, politics, economics, diaspora, sociology, literature, and cultural, urban and women's studies, Ten Lessons will also be useful to A-level or high school teachers and their students. It will also appeal to the increasing army of journalists, NGO workers, diplomats, government officials, businessmen and travellers of all kinds in search of a good lesson before they head to China.

Zheng Yangwen is Professor of Chinese History at the University of Manchester