An in-depth analysis of the Chinese Armies that fought a series of increasingly fractious wars over nearly a century, this history begins with a run-through of the Chinese forces that combated the British and French during the two Opium Wars. It goes on to trace the forces who were drawn into internal wars and rebellions in the 1850s and 60s, the open warfare in North Vietnam, the string of defeats suffered during the First Sino-Japanese War, and the Boxer Rebellion.

Providing an unparalleled insight into the dizzying array of troop types and unique uniforms, this is a history of the sometimes painful modernization of China's military forces during one of her most turbulent periods in history.