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A review by _bookmoth
The Story of China: The Epic History of a World Power from the Middle Kingdom to Mao and the China Dream by Michael Wood
adventurous
dark
hopeful
informative
slow-paced
4.0
A splendid read for anyone who wants to know more about China and its history. The subtitle ("A portrait of a civilisation and its people") is exactly what it is. It is not mainly an enumeration of historical events, but Wood also focuses on a farmer or a poet to explore their lives in the different eras. This makes this book highly readable and interesting.
It also knows to a balance in celebrating China in its rich history and achievements (often comparing with Western nations in the same time period, making it easier to understand where we are in history), it also criticizes its rulers new and old. Tiananmen Square 1989 is discussed, Mao's mistakes are mentioned and even Xi Jinping is not without fault in the book. Wood raises concern about the surveillance society but remains hopeful. You can see his love for this nation and its people.
It does, however, have some gaps. The Great Wall is barely mentioned. I think only 5 sentences over 2 chapters mention it. The one child policy and it current issue of possible population collapse is not explored, and the Chines calendar is not present.
Yet, all in all a great book to start with if you want to explore China.
It also knows to a balance in celebrating China in its rich history and achievements (often comparing with Western nations in the same time period, making it easier to understand where we are in history), it also criticizes its rulers new and old. Tiananmen Square 1989 is discussed, Mao's mistakes are mentioned and even Xi Jinping is not without fault in the book. Wood raises concern about the surveillance society but remains hopeful. You can see his love for this nation and its people.
It does, however, have some gaps. The Great Wall is barely mentioned. I think only 5 sentences over 2 chapters mention it. The one child policy and it current issue of possible population collapse is not explored, and the Chines calendar is not present.
Yet, all in all a great book to start with if you want to explore China.