China Since 1949

"Benson presents an authoritative introduction to an essential chapter of world history. In a crisp narrative and well-chosen accompanying materials, she provides a solid foundation for understanding China in recent history and its global role today." Jeremy A. Murray, California State University, San Bernardino, USA "Professor Benson offers a balanced and succinct introduction to the history of the PRC. A particular strength is her analysis of the challenges facing China, such as environmental crisis and economic inequality, as well as the opportunities created by market reforms. The text is supplemented with a useful glossary and more than thirty key documents illustrating the momentous changes China has experienced through revolution and reform." Joshua Howard, University of Mississippi, USA "Benson presents an authoritative introduction to an essential chapter of world history. In a crisp narrative and well-chosen accompanying materials, she provides a solid foundation for understanding China in recent history and its global role today." Jeremy A. Murray, California State University, San Bernardino, USA "Professor Benson offers a balanced and succinct introduction to the history of the PRC. A particular strength is her analysis of the challenges facing China, such as environmental crisis and economic inequality, as well as the opportunities created by market reforms. The text is supplemented with a useful glossary and more than thirty key documents illustrating the momentous changes China has experienced through revolution and reform." Joshua Howard, University of Mississippi, USA Praise for previous editions: 'the best introduction to the subject...providing a coherent narrative of the major events of China's recent past.' Richard Brown, The Historical Association website

Linda Benson is Professor of History at the University of Oakland, Rochester, Michigan.

Acknowledgements. A note on romanization and pronunciation of Chinese words. List of figures. Chronology. Who's who. Glossary. Map.Part One: China's Past 1. General Introduction 2. Geographical and Historical Background Part Two: China Under the Communist Party 3. China's New Revolutionary Road, 1949-57 4. The Radical Maoist Phase, 1958-76 5. Building Reform-Era China, 1977-89 6. Deepening Reform: China in the 1990s 7. Challenges in the 1990s 8. Social change after 2000 9. China Under President Hu 10. President Xi and the Chinese Dream 11. China and the World Part 3: Assessing China's Rise Part 4. DocumentsFurther reading. References. Index.