Book Review: China in 21st Century
Book Review: China in 21st Century
China in the 21st Century written by Jeffery N. Wasserstrom was published in 2010 with the purpose to clear up the misconceptions that many Westerners have towards China. Wasserstrom adds insights of each issue revealing the truth providing readers with a basic knowledge of China. Jeffery N. Wasserstrom is one of the writers/ scholars on China today. He is a specialist in Chinese History in a wide range of topics ranging from the globalization affects urban life to popular culture to American views of Asia. He has also published several books on the topics of China (Wasserstrom).
The book is relatively short of 135 pages which seemed almost impossible to summarize the vast history of China to it’s rising of current evolution. However, the author’s goal isn’t to provide an encyclopedia of China but to create a briefing book with significant and condensed contents for students and perhaps travelers. To build the knowledge of readers, the author divided the book into two sections of Historical Legacies of China and an overview of China’s more recent evolution.
The author began chapter one of the book with the core ideas of Confucius, which includes of education, ritual, and hierarchical yet reciprocal relationships. The format of each chapter is organized into a FAQ format to provide a clear and concise answer of a particular topic without overwhelming the readers, which also helps to refocus their attentions. For instance, one of the subheadings for chapter one is “has Confucius always been venerated in China?” follow with explanation focusing on just this one question. This is indeed an excellent way to break up a large amount of information without confusing readers, especially for those who do not have much knowledge about the land of China. This chapter sets the foundation base for the book by explaining the importance of Confucius, and the influences he has played in the development of China.
The first chapter
China in the 21st Century written by Jeffery N. Wasserstrom was published in 2010 with the purpose to clear up the misconceptions that many Westerners have towards China. Wasserstrom adds insights of each issue revealing the truth providing readers with a basic knowledge of China. Jeffery N. Wasserstrom is one of the writers/ scholars on China today. He is a specialist in Chinese History in a wide range of topics ranging from the globalization affects urban life to popular culture to American views of Asia. He has also published several books on the topics of China (Wasserstrom).
The book is relatively short of 135 pages which seemed almost impossible to summarize the vast history of China to it’s rising of current evolution. However, the author’s goal isn’t to provide an encyclopedia of China but to create a briefing book with significant and condensed contents for students and perhaps travelers. To build the knowledge of readers, the author divided the book into two sections of Historical Legacies of China and an overview of China’s more recent evolution.
The author began chapter one of the book with the core ideas of Confucius, which includes of education, ritual, and hierarchical yet reciprocal relationships. The format of each chapter is organized into a FAQ format to provide a clear and concise answer of a particular topic without overwhelming the readers, which also helps to refocus their attentions. For instance, one of the subheadings for chapter one is “has Confucius always been venerated in China?” follow with explanation focusing on just this one question. This is indeed an excellent way to break up a large amount of information without confusing readers, especially for those who do not have much knowledge about the land of China. This chapter sets the foundation base for the book by explaining the importance of Confucius, and the influences he has played in the development of China.
The first chapter
Cited: Jeffrey N. Wasserstrom. China in the 21st Century: What Everyone Needs to Know. New York Oxford University Press, 2010. Print. "Jeffrey Wassersrom." University of California Irvine, n. d. Web. 11 Jun. 2013. .