Author Description

China's rise to global prominence is one of the most remarkable stories of our time. Millions of urban Chinese today enjoy lifestyles unthinkable in the days of Chairman Mao's communist regime, and the country's leadership has made continuing economic growth their primary goal, helping to transform China into a modern world power. Rapid change has also created tensions within Chinese society: a new middle class and a small, wealthy elite contrast with a far larger number who feel they have yet to benefit from the new economy. Corruption and abuse of power have emerged as a potent source of discontent across China's social divide. In this fully revised second edition, "China s""ince 1949" traces key events from the Maoist era through the Reform period to the present day. The book: Explains the forces behind China's rapid growth, and its domestic and international impact. Examines issues of international concern, such as China's human rights record and international relations, balanced against the domestic pressures that influence China's behaviour on the global stage. Illustrates, through the use of world rankings, China's new position as a global economic power Includes two new chapters, covering contemporary society and political developments since 2000 Incorporates new sections on Latin America and Africa, and updated material on Taiwan Written in accessible and engaging prose, this fully updated edition of "China s""ince 1949 "is a concise but comprehensive introduction to China's recent past. Linda Benson is Professor of Chinese History at Oakland University, Michigan, and holds degrees from the University of Hong Kong and the University of Leeds. She is the author of a number of books, including "China's Last Nomads: The History and Culture of China's Kazaks" (1998) and "Across China's Gobi: The Lives of Evangeline French, Mildred Cable, and Francesca French" (2008).