Capturing China’s past in all its complexity, this multi-faceted history portrays China in the context of a larger global world, while incorporating the narratives of Chinese as well as non-Chinese ethnic groups and discussing people traditionally left out of the story—peasants, women, merchants, and artisans.

• Offers a complete political, economic, social, and cultural history of China, covering the major events and trends
• Written in a clear and uncomplicated style by a distinguished historian with over four decades of experience teaching undergraduates
• Examines Chinese history through the lens of global history to better understand how foreign influences affected domestic policies and practices
• Depicts the role of non-Chinese ethnic groups in China, such as Tibetans and Uyghurs, and analyzes the Mongol and Manchu rulers and their impact on Chinese society
• Incorporates the narratives of people traditionally left out of Chinese history, including women, peasants, merchants, and artisans