For thousands of years, China has influenced military strategies, trade relations, aesthetics, philosophy, and culinary traditions in various countries around the world, and its history is as contradictory as no other. Despite all its contradictions, certain patterns characterize it, and the knowledge of these patterns allows for a comprehensive impression of China with its limitless human, cultural, and economic potential. Wanting to share her deep knowledge of the past and present of China and her love for this country with an interested reader, Linda Jaivin masterfully pieces together the intricate puzzles of Chinese history, illustrating her narrative with drawings, photographs, diagrams, and maps. The author makes important generalizations and forecasts regarding what awaits China in the foreseeable future and how this may reflect on the fate of the entire planet. "Faced with the necessity to choose between key figures, economic and social processes, military history, aesthetic and intellectual movements, I choose... everything. I highlight themes, events, and personalities that I believe shed light on the essence of their time, on the development of Chinese civilization and statehood. I do not mention all the numerous emperors, rebels, thinkers, artists, eccentrics, inventors, politicians, and poets. I will introduce you to some of the most interesting and influential people and, as far as possible in such a small book, allow them to tell you about themselves. I will provide quotes from the works of ancient historians, modern politicians, poets, and satirists. China is very diverse, and this complex diversity is part of its greatness." (Linda Jaivin)
