China (Insight Guides)

This book provides an excellent introduction to and a consequent overview of Chinese culture and history. In a compact volume, the authors manage to encompass the founding of the Chinese state, the evolution of the dynastic period, the resulting emergence of the Chinense Communist Party in the 1920s and information concerning many of China's modern problems. It is by no means the end-all authoritative reference on the subject, but it does provide a solid introduction to the wonder that is China.