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A review by sydsnot71
The Story of China: The Epic History of a World Power from the Middle Kingdom to Mao and the China Dream by Michael Wood
5.0
I really enjoyed reading this. I wish I'd read something like it a while ago. The gaps in my knowledge re. Chinese history and culture are enormous and this is an excellent first step for filling in some of these gaps.
Obviously by the nature of the breadth of time Michael Wood is aiming to cover it can't be hugely detailed on each era, but it gives you a good sweep of the key events, people, places, and literature. It's a book that points you in the direction of other books. Both Chinese literature and more history. I have read a handful of Chinese poetry but I've never tackled the great Chinese novels - Journey to the West, The Water Margin, or the Story of the Stone - yet. I am determined to do so now. Alongside Chinese poetry. Although I'm not sure how much of it is fully translated.
Each Chapter covers a different era of Chinese history - and there's a short afterward that takes us through Covid virtually up to the present day. He talks through the major historical events and trends. We're introduced to the key figures in politics and the arts. But he also does a great job of focusing in each era on a particularly person or village that isn't necessarily an incredibly famous person. It gives each chapter a touchstone that is sometimes lost in these big sweeping histories.
He also references where we are in Western history so that you can keep your baring's and see how far ahead China was at some points.
I think the West has a fixed view of China that is based on the moment it was falling apart and the moment we got involved that conveniently allows us to see it as primitive. Even though for all but a small chunk of its history it was a more organised, wealthy, and powerful state than most of Europe. I think the West doesn't understand China and this book I think is worth reading to help you to try.
Recommended. It is based on Michael Wood's TV series, which I'd now like to track down and watch.
Obviously by the nature of the breadth of time Michael Wood is aiming to cover it can't be hugely detailed on each era, but it gives you a good sweep of the key events, people, places, and literature. It's a book that points you in the direction of other books. Both Chinese literature and more history. I have read a handful of Chinese poetry but I've never tackled the great Chinese novels - Journey to the West, The Water Margin, or the Story of the Stone - yet. I am determined to do so now. Alongside Chinese poetry. Although I'm not sure how much of it is fully translated.
Each Chapter covers a different era of Chinese history - and there's a short afterward that takes us through Covid virtually up to the present day. He talks through the major historical events and trends. We're introduced to the key figures in politics and the arts. But he also does a great job of focusing in each era on a particularly person or village that isn't necessarily an incredibly famous person. It gives each chapter a touchstone that is sometimes lost in these big sweeping histories.
He also references where we are in Western history so that you can keep your baring's and see how far ahead China was at some points.
I think the West has a fixed view of China that is based on the moment it was falling apart and the moment we got involved that conveniently allows us to see it as primitive. Even though for all but a small chunk of its history it was a more organised, wealthy, and powerful state than most of Europe. I think the West doesn't understand China and this book I think is worth reading to help you to try.
Recommended. It is based on Michael Wood's TV series, which I'd now like to track down and watch.