China

I did not buy this in lieu of a college textbook hoping to become an instant expert. I bought this to serve as a quick look-up source. I use this as I read books by Chinese authors. There's always those things I've forgotten and, more often, things I've never known that I need to find. The supplemental timeline, gazetteer and list of rulers are very useful. As always, I wish there had been more maps (but I don't think I've ever said a history book had enough maps). For a general history and a handy reference this was a great find.

Given that this book is intended for travellers, not for old China hands or Chinese scholars, I thought it did a great job. The ground it covers is immense, leaving no aspect untouched and describing key events in a balanced way. There's no histrionics or name calling. Careful readers would be able to have conversations with Chinese people in their own country without making too many faux pas or appearing either ignorant or full of propaganda--Western or otherwise. It was much more readable than J.A.G. Roberts' 'A Concise History of China,' and in fact tied up several loose ends left for me by that book. And by the way, I was born in China.

Based on the title I was expecting a book organized around travel destinations with historical info on each destination. Now that I've read the book from cover to cover I've found it wasn't organized the way I expected, but I am very impressed with what the book delivers. It's essentially an excellent history of China, with various other items added on. Here's how I would describe the book now: * A concise history of China from prehistoric times up to 2002, in 170 exceptionally well-written pages. * 45 pages covering certain isolated topics (geography, minority peoples, status of Hong Kong and Taiwan, and the Chinese language). Good basic stuff. * A 30 page Historical Gazetteer that lists some 44 destinations (important cities, mountains, historical districts, etc.), with a brief description of each along with keys to the main text. * A few helpful pages on timelines and dynasty dates.The real gem is the history section. If you want one book that tells you everything you ever wanted to know about Chinese history in a single comprehensive and well-balanced volume, this is your book.

Haw does what few writers have done when relating China's long and turbulent history: he presents short and precise background historical information, while at the same time, giving the reader a sense of the all encompassing ramifications of that history on present-day China. The early portion of the book does focus on the geographical aspect of China (and admittedly, this is not the most interesting part of the book);however, Haw reveals many of the historical and political turbulence that makes up such a vast nation in such a way that no other writers have done. Many books have been written about China, and many of these books are very detailed, and at times, pedantic. Haw, however, achieves in giving the reader in clear language a very succinct history that is understandable. Without doubt, this book is one of the better efforts written about China.

This book is, quite simply, the best written history and geography of China I have encountered and I have read many. Highly recommended for travellers to China and for anyone who wants to understand the background for what is happening there now.