China: A New History, Second Enlarged Edition

A Review of “China A New History” by John King Fairbank and Merle Goldman I read “China, a New History” after completing Ray Dalio’s book, “The Changing World Order”. Mr. Dalio offered three major reasons why nations or empires fail: viz. the accumulation of debt, internal discord, and a rising external powerful nation. One need not look too far to see these factors in America’s current history. Mr. Fairbank’s book, “China a New History, affords a look into the third factor, China. My reading sought to extract insight into China’s historical influences that correlate to modern Chinese state behaviors. Perhaps the characteristics of Chinese culture began when neolithic farming villages formed kinships and networks in a system of “subordination-superordination” that continued thru Mao Zedong and beyond. Or beginnings arose as Neolithic silkworms feasted on mulberry leaves initiating silk production establishing a home craft economic structure. Perhaps cultural norms were initiated with the quasi-historical “Three Empires” (Xia, Shang, and Zhou; 2200 B.C. thru 256 B.C) when a strong central authority was established, and the Zhou leadership forcibly contested with surrounding Nomadic tribes. China’s evolution was partially shaped by its geology. China’s borders extend from latitudes equivalent to Canada in the north and Cuba in the south. China began as an agrarian society and for much of its history depended on rice from the warmer southern climates and some grains from the North’s less arable soil and less cultivable area. This led to the importance of the family unit, village life, and subsequently to the hierarchical economic organization, noted above, for support and distribution. This structure evolved thru the feudal-like Empire periods and was conducive to the destructive Commune period of Mao Zedong. The Empires were essentially autocracies conditioning China for the Communist revolution and the post Mao period from Deng Xiaoping to Xi Jinping. The foundational philosophy of Chinese culture was Confucianism (Confucius 551-479 BC), which is, also, quintessentially hierarchical. The Analects of Confucius codified a set of behavioral principles; child to parent, citizen to the social stratification, and the society to the ruler. Conformity and adherence to the Confucian code would assure nobility in mankind and order in the society. As this developed in the Han and Shang periods, the most important part of the code was loyalty. This influence is unmistakable in modern China, whereas the Confucian distaste for the profit motive has been somewhat deflated by State capitalism. Additional philosophical influences in Chinese thought include Taoism (Lao Tzu), which is more to the mystical side, intimating a central ineffable Tao (the Way) akin to the Vedic Dharma or, perhaps, the essential nature of things. Introspective theosophies seem to have faded into the periphery of Chinese culture. After the decline of the Han dynasty- to which the Chinese trace their ancestry (221 BC to 220AD)- there was a “Buddhist Age”, which achieved a level of autonomy from the State (500 A.D.-850 A.D), incidentally evolving into a meditation form called Chan in Chinese and Zen in Japanese. Chinese thought does not invoke a deity, and Confucius’ attention to social stability seems to remain the most important underlying doctrine. A more extensive discussion of these philosophical influences would have been welcomed in Mr. Fairbank’s influential work. China’s history is replete with the interaction of the dominant Han Chinese and the nomadic tribes to the north and west. The author opines that China’s interior development of art, aestheticism, pictography, warfare, and isolationism (no early development of seafaring) was a cultural foundation stimulated as a reaction to the constant threat of “barbaric invasions” and establishing a cultural distinction from the nomad. The periodicity of Chinese Empires includes successes of nomadic tribes. The Mongol Empire (1279AD-1368AD) known as the Yuan Dynasty established its capital at Beijing under Kublai Khan, the grandson of Genghis Kahn. The final Chinese dynasty before the “Republican Revolution” of 1911 was the Qing dynasty (1644-1912), which was of Manchu origin (mostly descendants of seminomadic Ruzhen tribes which established the earlier Chinese Jin dynasty in the 12th Century); some examples of the Chinese National identity interspersed with governorships of tribal (semi)nomadic origins. The nomadic leaders generally followed Confucian ideation, which strengthened their central control. Chinese dynasties were often interrupted by periods of disorder such as the Warring States period (403BC-221BC) and the period of North-South disunion ((220-589AD) when the Han migrated to the warmer Yangzi valley and there was an ongoing incursion of nomadic tribes. This period was characterized by multiple small kingdoms in the north and south of China. Contestations of China with inner Asian tribes continues with modern China. The Chinese invaded Tibet in 1950. They are currently “re-educating” and forcefully confining the Uyghurs, a northern tribe with prominence since the 8th century and for a period dominated by the Tang dynasty (618AD to 907AD) in the continually shifting Sino-tribal relationships. Of course, China’s relationship with Taiwan is of critical importance currently. The history of Taiwan, (indigenous Peoples 3000BC-Portuguese (Formosa) settlement-Han (Hoklu) influxes post Portuguese-Taiwan secession to Japan-1949 Kuomintang democratic state-) argues against historical Chinese ownership. This issue is beyond the chronology of John King Fairbank’s book. Mr. Fairbanks presents approximately 150 pages detailing the history of Chinese empires, which is admixed with cultural, philosophical, important period contributors, and overview opinions, which makes a confluent demarcation of specific periods somewhat difficult to define. Tables and maps partially come to the rescue. China had an established wide East Asian trade before the Portuguese and the Spanish invaded East Asia in the sixteenth century. The evolution of Western influence in China led to a period of foreign dominace that has not been forgotten in Chinese memory, as it has evolved into the second largest world economy. The British East India company established trade with China in the early 18th century, which strengthened after 1759 thru their exclusivity in the port at Canton (Guangzhou). Opium was imported in exchange for Chinese silver and goods leading to the Opium Wars of 1839-1842 and 1856-1860. The treaty of Nanjing in 1842 and the treaty of Tianjin in 1858 essentially gave Great Britain extraordinary privileges in China (and ownership of Hong Kong to boot). The Coastal cities were Westernized, and the importation of Opium continued for 100 years. The author, John Fairbanks cites these events as more culturally significant than that of the Ruzhen, Mongols, and Manchus empires combined. Undoubtedly, the European, Russian, American, and Japanese encroachments in China, resulting in China’s “Century of shame” (1842-1949), was an enormous stimulus towards China’s subsequent growth, modernization, independence, and much later, economic dominance secondary only to the United States. The People’s Republic of China was established by Mao in 1949 after defeating Chiang Kai-Shek’s Kuomintang. The civil war ended foreign dominance in China. Mao Zedong’s ‘great leap forward’ and ‘cultural revolution’ are covered in great factual detail by Mr. Fairbank. The post-Mao reform era is recounted as an addition to Mr. Fairbank’s original tome by Merle Goldman including the influence of Deng Xiaoping in creating the China that the world now faces. The intent of this review was to focus on the way that China’s history from Neolithic origins thru Mao Zedong reflect on China’s worldview and its influence on possible Chinese policies. “China, a New History” is a scholarly exposition toward that intent.

The 2006 version of this book has 2 added chapters from historian Merle Goldman. She wraps up the post-Mao events, economical, political, societal, and foreign interactions. The main part of the book is informative, with objective descriptions of events and people, the last two show the changes that have occurred since 1976, with a opening left for post-2005 China changes. Well worth having for anyone interested in Chinese history, whether modern or older. This book is good for the layman who may also want to learn more, as the suggested readings are comprehensive.

I found this history to be balanced and has a good broad coverage of the field. However, in some areas of interest to me, there was a lack of depth. Particularly the Neoliothic societies, and the transitions through the earliest dynasties.

The modern chinese society post WW2 is always interesting to look at as most people have very little idea what happened this is a very enlightening book.

I had wanted to purchase this back-to-front history of China for some time, and I am now glad that I own it. Written by one of America's mainline experts on the history, society, civilization and politics of China, John K. Fairbanks (and Merle Goldman, JKF's successor at Harvard), this book is thoroughly accessible from the first page to the last, and its prose is rewardingly clear. I urge everyone interested in the history and fate of this great civilization and our leading international rival today to acquire this book. Having read this book through, from beginning to end, the reader might indeed complement him/herself with a thorough knowledge of Chinese history, society and culture. Whatever work he/she might do in future on this subject might only work from the insights and narrative offered in this text by Fairbanks and Goldman.

My interest is ancient China. While "China: A New History" is materially rich, I found the topical layout disjointed. I have had to piece together bits of information on ancient dynasties from different sections. I also found the authors' commentary throughout the book distracting. I purchased "China: Its History and Culture" by Morton and Lewis and found it to be a well-written, materially rich book--excellent for anyone doing research on ancient China.

It's a great book if you are looking to get a good understanding of Chinese history and roots, though, given the limited amount of pages, it cannot go in details. When I compare it with other books about Chinese history, the structure of the book is clear and it touches the author always touches the most important topics (not an easy task to summary over 4.000 years of history.

I give China: A New History credit for trying to do it all. It hopes to condense hundreds of years of dynastic struggle, economic development, and external strife into a few hundred pages. It does so very poorly. Think of this book as two in one: a look at the long and intricate history of the imperial dynasties, and an exploration of post-dynastic national development. With regard to pre-dynastic history, such a short read does the dynasties little justice. It leaves out many entirely, and spends mere pages on others. The book does slightly better when it explores the past century. It devotes at least some time to major movements leading up to and throughout the revolution. Where it once again falls short is in trying to explain a massively important struggle in a few words and then move onto the next. I am not completely dissatisfied with its historical coverage, however. Goldman does a great job of summarizing contemporary developments with a focused and balanced perspective. I would love for everyone outside China to read these sections, which concisely but effectively explain recent developments. Thankfully, the book takes a largely impartial view of controversial and still-relevant issues. It fairly explains the motivations behind the CCP leaders without blaming or criticizing them. Fairbank was right to allow readers to draw their own conclusions from the facts. The epilogue, meanwhile, takes a more conclusive and opinionated stance about the future direction of the PRC. I enjoyed this section for its optimism about future change. Such positivity is grounded in the facts and figures of the preceding history. At its beginning, the book also draws helpful comparisons between China and the West. For those with little knowledge of Asia but extensive knowledge of Europe, these links will make it easier to dive right into the content. The comparions seem reasonable, and consider the complexity of both cultural traditions. I could accept this book as a generalized introduction to Chinese history, were it not for its pedantic and frustrating academic style. The approach is entirely off for an introductory history text, which should focus on major issues and trends. Take the book's focus on intellectuals. Intellectuals have played a unique and surprisingly volatile role in Chinese history, yet the book overstates their importance. It avoids discussion of the common people and their culture, and tends to focus on elites of all forms: the gentry-elite, the bureaucratic elite, the bourgeois elite, and others. It focuses on bureaucratic institutions, administrative structures, and economic development. Such an aristocratic perspective leaves out important details that define and continue to shape Chinese culture. To really understand why China holds so much influence in Asian history and is poised to shape the modern landscape, look elsewhere. Most of this book meanders and avoids satisfying conclusions. Look to this book if you understand Chinese socio-cultural history but want to understand its basic political and intellectual institutions as they have developed through the ages. Do not come in without some prior knowledge, for you may be confused and and will probably not finish. For its cursory and off-putting style, I might give it one star. Goldman's additions near the end of the book earn it two. Look elsewhere for more relevant histories.