Berkshire encyclopedia of China; modern and historic views of the world's newest and oldest global power; 5v.

9780977015948

Berkshire encyclopedia of China; modern and historic views of the world's newest and oldest global power; 5v.

Ed. by Linsun Cheng et al.

Berkshire Publishing Group

2009

2754 pages

$675.00

Hardcover

DS735

Written for high school students and above, this thorough resource--it contains 800 entries in 5 volumes--discusses a broad range of topics about the vast and ancient country. The entries are contained between an initial summary paragraph and list of further reading (which often include websites), with many b&w images and inset boxes included, the latter containing excerpts from primary sources or biographical portraits. Entry topics include businesses, political figures and parties, historical events, military figures and events, poets, art, natural resources, and technology, among others. The quality of the entries varies, with some bearing a similarity to chamber of commerce publications, though most are written in a more critical and knowledgeable way. The controversial nature of modern Chinese politics is only alluded to in some entries, as the work's aim seems devoted to presenting China in an uncritical, positive light. Contributors are academics and independent scholars mainly in the U.S., China, and Australia.

([c]2009 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR)