Chinese communism at 45 is an unprecedented mixture of semi-capitalism and Leninist orthodoxy, the former generating an economic boom and the latter ensuring a stable political order. Will economic affluence inevitably lead to political change, bringing on yet another communist collapse? Having possessed for decades the greatest population on earth, and now controlling what will shortly be the planet's largest economy, China is a nation that commands the respect, awe, and vested interest of an entire globe. The long path leading to the crossroads at which she now stands constitutes one of the most complex and unlikely chronicles in the history of civilization.
From traditional, xenophopic empire to modern economic powerhouse, China's epic story since the seventeenth century is brought vividly to life in this latest edition of Immanuel C.Y. Hsu's monumental survey. Updated to incorporate the tumultuous events of the late '80s and early '90s, this classic text recounts in detail the response of China's leadership to the collapse of European communism, illustrates the unorthodox methods behind the nation's recent economic resurgence, and further analyzes the effects of the violent crackdown at Tienanmen Square. Taiwan's transition to constitutional democracy is also discussed, as well as the possible, and very problematic, reunification with the mainland.
Unmatched in depth and comprehensiveness, this extraordinary work continues, as no other text can, to bring modern China's fascinating past into focus for students of her history, politics, and culture.

本書是根據The Rise of Modern China第六版翻譯而成。全書分為上冊及下冊。英文原著1970年面世後，先後修訂六次，銷售數十萬冊，為美國大學中國研究的權威著作。本書內容以清朝立國起，以迄二十一世紀，縷述中國近四百年歷史之演變。本書包括了第一至二十一章，包括清帝國從建立、興盛，以至衰亡；西方宗教、帝國主義及商業活動衝擊中國；鴉片戰爭、八國聯軍及列強瓜分中國；維新變法、立憲運動、辛亥革命及新文化運動。
本書不囿於任何一家學說或主義，開出一種折衷調和的史觀，能夠公平公正、客觀冷靜地看待歷史事件；本書作者參考了大量西方及日本學者的研究及檔案資料，內容充實，極具參考價值。其中每章章末皆附有該章最新的重點參考文獻，對教研進修甚為珍貴。