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By (author) Jaivin Linda Short description/annotation:Journey across epic China—through millennia of early innovation to modern dominance. The Shortest History books deliver thousands of years of history in one riveting, fast-paced read.Description:As we enter the “Asian century,” China demands our attention for being an economic powerhouse, a beacon of rapid modernization, and an assertive geopolitical player. To understand the nation behind the headlines, we must take in its vibrant, tumultuous past—a story of “larger-than-life characters, philosophical arguments and political intrigues, military conflicts and social upheavals, artistic invention and technological innovation.”The Shortest History of China charts a path from China’s tribal origins through its storied imperial era and up to the modern Communist Party under Xi Jinping—including the rarely told story of women in China and the specters of corruption and disunity that continue to haunt the People’s Republic today. A master storyteller and exacting historian, Linda Jaivin distills this vast history into a short, riveting account that today’s globally minded readers will find indispensable.The Shortest History books deliver thousands of years of history in one riveting, fast-paced read.#1 Bestseller in Student Travel GuidesReview quote:”A succinct yet dynamic narrative chronicling China from prehistory to the present, adeptly weaving together political, social, and cultural events from each period. . . . A delightful, informative, thought-provoking read.”Review quote:”Absorbing, wonderful . . . one of the best histories of China.”Review quote:”The perfect diving-in point for someone new to Chinese history. . . . If this is all you read, you can consider yourself well informed and better prepared to make sense of the world that China is remaking.”Review quote:”The book is a gem. It’s minimalist but immersive. A master storyteller, Jaivin cleverly segues from ancient to contemporary, back and forth, always injecting novel insights and nuances while cleverly stitching together China’s meandering past. That’s a feat.”Review quote:”So many people, so much history, so much culture. . . . China’s a challenge—but like a jade snuff bottle, this book holds it all in one finely chiseled vessel.”Review quote:”Linda Jaivin has assembled together many of the pieces of China’s millennia of history into a single, artful stained glass window. If you’ve been confused by how China’s past fits together with its present and Xi Jinping’s ‘wolf warrior diplomacy,’ this is the Rosetta stone.”Review quote:”Virtuosic, and virtuosically succinct . . . a fascinating, enormously dynamic portrait of a superpower. Essential reading.”Review quote:”Praise for the Australian edition”Linda Jaivin manages to cram in so much of the gigantic tapestry that is China’s story but does it so concisely, with such flair, that this book is a joy to read.”Review quote:”The perfect introduction . . . Jaivin has a terrific eye for telling details and effortlessly turns a highly complex, sprawling story into a thoroughly informing and entertaining read.”Review quote:”A tour de force and a really marvelous read. . . . [Jaivin] makes the case that understanding history and patterns that recur throughout history is crucial for understanding modern China. . . . She also writes powerful vignettes about women in China, stories that often don’t get told in conventional histories.”Review quote:”A fast-paced and witty survey of China’s past, written with spirit and verve. Jaivin knows her stuff but wears her erudition lightly. Iconoclastic, informative, and more attentive to female figures than many comparable works. Highly recommended.”Review quote:”A