The Shortest History of China by Linda Jaivin
The Shortest History of China by Linda Jaivin
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Book Summary
The Shortest History of China (2021) is a fast-paced and engaging synthesis that distills China’s vast and complex history—from mythic beginnings and ancient dynasties through imperial rule, revolutionary upheavals, the rise of the People’s Republic, and up to the modern era of Xi Jinping and the COVID‑19 pandemic. Jaivin weaves together political intrigue, philosophical thought, cultural innovation, and economic transformation, all while giving overdue attention to the stories of women—from early warrior‑queens to suffragettes. Offering vivid vignettes and insightful context, the book seeks to transform understanding of China in just fifteen drag‑and‑flowing chapters.
About the Author
Linda Jaivin (born 1955 in Connecticut) is an Australian sinologist, translator, essayist, and novelist with over four decades of experience in Chinese politics, language, and culture. She studied at Brown University and lived in Taiwan, Hong Kong, and mainland China, working as a journalist and translator before settling in Sydney. Author of both fiction and nonfiction—including The Monkey and the Dragon and Bombard the Headquarters! (on the Cultural Revolution)—she has translated major Chinese films and co-edits the China Story Yearbook. Jaivin is admired for her vivid storytelling, scholarly rigor, and her ability to bring China’s history alive for contemporary readers
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