Review from previous edition formidable and informative history of modern China ... it should be adopted as a basic text. For example, the chapter on traditional society is a model presentation of an historical overview.
Political Studies
Gray's book, covering a huge span of history crammed with landmarks of both tragedy and achievement, addresses the question of the ... Read morenature of the response of the Chinese rulers to the West. The rich tapestry of the years of revolutionary struggle and the process of reconstruction and modernization is brought alive through a lively narrative style.
Shirin Rai, The Pacific Review, 1991
Jack Gray's work is at once readable and definitive as a political survey.
Steven Sage, Middle Tennessee State University
Jack Gray does an admirable job ... Gray has the knack of bringing each lengthy political chapter to a conclusion that is sharp and memorable ... These are invaluable for students, and make the work intellectually challenging for all readers ... he desribes a contemporary China moving, with much of the rest of East Asia toward a new "Confucian corporatism" ... This is a challenging conclusion to a stimulating and well written narrative.
William C. Kirby, The China Quarterly, Vol. 139, Sept '94
Consistently stimulating and well-written, Rebellions and Revolutions, China from the 1800s to the 1980s matches a firm grasp of detail with an eye for challenging interpretations, and is bound to become a well-loved textbook.
T.H. Barrett, School of Oriental & African Studies, London, EHR, Oct. '93
... an excellent textbook ...
Jayant Dasgupta. The National Defence Academy Journal
... an invaluable history for anyone interested in modern China.
Tiffany Brown, Independent
A first-class study, and it fills a big gap in under-graduate teaching. Plenty of information and argument; at times provocative. I do not agree with all the judgements, but who would - this is Chinese history and politics! A good short bibliography.
David Steeds, University College of Wales, Aberystwyth
Will be of use to all undergraduates doing courses on modern China.
Lecturer, University of Edinburgh
Probably the best substantial study available.
Lecturer, Stirling University
Jack Gray's previous work led one to expect something good but this is excellent ...
Professor, University of Aberdeen
Admirable history of China for teaching purposes ...
Reader in History, University of Sussex
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