"Provides solid grounding in the economic and social context that shaped modern China's political history....The chapters are clearly written and generous in their presentation of factual data."--History

"Excellent background for a modern China course."--Linda Walton, Portland State University

"A most useful resource for teachers and students of modern Chinese history, as well as those who labor in the vineyards of world history/civilization courses....The best single assessment available of the economy and society of China in the four hundred years before the Chinese Communist takeover, providing a coherent picture of a vast and complex region in a global context."--The Historian

"[Eastman] has succeeded in producing a textbook noteworthy for its direct and lucid discussion of many major historical issues....The book's style is marked by an informality and verve certain to keep students' interest....Students will gain much from this readable introductory synthesis."--Asia

"A very useful textbook....Significantly supplements the dominant emphasis on political and intellectual history in other texts, and thus better reflects the interests and findings of important new trends in the study of China's history by Americans and others."--Journal of Economic History