Wow, this was a long book. It covered nearly 4,000 years of Chinese history in over 500 pages. There were a lot of hundreds of names, dozens of places and dozens of threads detailing the story of China. Even with all that, it was well-written and not as difficult as it sounds like it could have been. However, it would have benefited greatly from a few maps. So many of the places were unfamiliar to me. I did got look up maps a few times.

Because there are so many names that look so similar, I had a tough time keep them differentiated. Still, the story managed to flow.

If you are willing to invest the time, this will definitely fill you in on the history of China.

The long march of Chinese history is extremely relevant in these as they reasert their role in the world. Michael Wood does an excellent job presenting a large and complex history in an engaging and eye opening way. While it would be impossible for one book to present a complete and comprehensive view, Wood does manage to cover major political, philosophical, religious, and artistic developments from the beginning of recorded history to Xi Jinping. In addition to these major developments he presents informative anecdotal stories of the experiences in individual villages and of common people to give a perspective on the impact of the bigger developments.

Thanks to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for providing me with a review copy in exchange for an honest review.

Engaging and comprehensive read on a subject that is extremely difficult to cover. The reader will come away with a better understanding on the complexity of the history of China without being completely overwhelmed. This is a great resource for anyone interested in China's history, regardless of their level of knowledge on the subject prior to reading.

I received an ARC of this book via NetGalley in exchange for my hones review.

Floods on the Yangtze River… the different dynasties, such as Han, Tang, Song, and Ming…a society far advanced from Europe. These and many other illuminating facts await you in “The Story of China” by Michael Wood.

Don’t be turned away by the 600+ pages in this book. My impression before opening the book was that I was in for a long slog of dry reading, facts and dates and endless paragraphs of useless knowledge guaranteed to fill up countless pages with mind-numbing data. Right from the start, Mr. Wood demonstrated that this book would be different than many of the offerings on the market.

While the history is told in chronological order, the author regularly injects current day facts, thus tying the two time periods together and explaining how past events dictated the way China is today. Many history books get caught up with a strict chronological version of events, but I like that Mr. Wood would easily switch to the current day and describe a certain part of the country as it is now before referring back to what happened many years ago in that same area, or would interview a person and find out about that person’s ancestors.

The tremendous research is the five-star element in this book. The author referenced many written records that were used to compile this book, and readers are treated to a history that offers the facts as well as includes the human element. The famous and the not-so-well-known are all featured here. The written records left by China’s previous inhabitants lent a personal side as we gained a deeper knowledge of how history affected the people living at that time, which is not usually seen in other books.

There is much to learn here and it is one of the most enjoyable history books I have ever had the pleasure to read. Five stars.

My thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for a complimentary electronic copy of this title.

Richly descriptive, carefully and thoroughly researched, and written in an engaging style, "The Story of China" is perfect for people who know little about the country's extended history, or are looking for more details from new sources. Wood uses the most up to date archaeological and literary sources to give readers the latest understanding of China's past as told by the people who lived it. I did appreciate Wood occasionally referencing what was happening in Europe at the same time to help give readers more familiar with Western history additional reference points. But readers shouldn't worry that this is China's history told from Europe's point of view- it isn't. This is China's history told from China's view, including women and the small villages as well as the grand courts and generals. An excellent history beautifully written.

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

After having read extensively about the history of the United States, Europe and the Middle East I found that I wanted to know something about the history of China, the country that is now challenging the United States for global economic leadership. I was looking for a book that could introduce me to the history of China and serve as the basis for further reading on the subject. I was very fortunate to find The Story of China: The Epic History of a World Power From the Middle Kingdom to Mao and the China Dream by Michael Wood.

Wood manages to pack the entire 4000-year history of the Chinese Empire, from its pre-history, through its multiple dynasties, to the evolution of its Communist led republic into today’s world power into a very readable 624 page volume. The book can best be described as Chinese History 101, 102 and 103.

It would have been one thing if Wood had simply described the rise and fall of the various dynasties that have ruled China throughout the millennia. But he has gone a huge step further by using letters, poems and other documentary evidence to bring to life individual Chinese residents who lived during those dynasties. And he helps the reader understand how these citizens viewed life in their authoritarian societies through the lens of their underlying philosophy of Confucianism and Daoism

Throughout the book Wood leads the reader through the ongoing challenges to the rulers who tried to govern the vast area, the innumerable people and the multiple ethnic groups that are China. He shows that the ruling dynasties were, at times, able to foster great economic, artistic and scientific achievements. But he also shows that, due to natural disasters, famines and revolts on the outer edges of the empire, each of the dynasties ultimately fell.

Unfortunately, what makes this book great, the presentation of a 4000-year history in a very concise format, is also its potential weakness. Because the history moves very quickly, it could be something of a challenge to keep track of the numerous characters and events that come and then go. But if this is an issue, it is easily solvable. In 2017, the author, who is also a documentarian, presented a 6-hour documentary, entitled the Story of China, on PBS. That documentary, which can be found on both Amazon and PBS, covers much of the same territory as the book. By watching the documentary while I was reading the book I was able to easily keep up with the fast paced history.

The Story of China was exactly what I was looking for. It was a concise, enjoyable history of the Chinese Empire that gave me the background that I need to read further about China. I give it 5 stars and recommend it for anyone interested in learning more about the society that now challenges United States for global economic leadership.

Thanks to #netgalley and to St. Martin’s Press for my early release copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

historical-figures, historical-places-events, historical-research, cultural-heritage, cultural-exploration, illustrations*****

I've read the Charles River Editors segments of the history of China, but most of them are so obviously Publish or Perish that it becomes hard to remember what I learned. This tome is so very different, even if a few of the illustrations appear to be the same. This one is eminently understandable and the retention should be much better. I actually enjoyed it! But it does require reading it in segments to avoid being overwhelmed.
I requested and received a free ebook copy from St. Martin's Press via NetGalley. Thank you!

A Vast Panorama of Ancient and Modern China

China has had a long and varied history. Wood makes a point of how the Chinese culture vacillates between unification and dispersion. The dynasties provided unification until peasant uprisings, natural catastrophes and wars pulled the country into individual fiefs. It’s a fascinating theme underlying Chinese history and for me explained much of the Chinese character.

The book presents the earliest history and progresses through the dynasties ending with modern China. When dealing with history, the author takes time to look at what the places he discusses look like today. It’s fascinating to see how the ancient monuments exist in industrialized setting and how the are in many cases being restored.

I found the use of recent archaeological finds particularly interesting. Many documents have been discovered which allow a glimpse of the life of average people. Letters describe the loneliness of a soldier serving in an outpost and another begs for shoes to be sent to him. Other documents give accurate recordings of the number of people in an area, how much acreage they owned, and other details that give a picture of ancient communities.

This description of the long history of China gives an insight into the psychology of the Chinese today. The author does and excellent job describing China since 1949 including recently leaked documents. This is a very rich book. It’s not an easy read. It takes time to digest all the information especially if you are unfamiliar, as I was, with the scope of Chinese history.

I highly recommend this book. China is a major player in the world today. While most of us are familiar with European history we are ignorant of China’s past. This book is an excellent way to get a better understanding of some of the forces driving this vast country.

I received this book from St. Martin’s Press for this review.

Four thousand years of history fitted into a single volume means there is going to be a great deal of summary, especially when the subject is China, which was developing written history when my own European ancestors were still running around in the woods.

So the question becomes, where to summarize and what details to include to illustrate one’s point? It’s for the expert to evaluate Wood’s choices in a judgment call. All I—a learner—can confidently say is that I got very involved in this book. I enjoyed great parts of it, specifically the details Wood chose from very recent archaeological finds that are shedding new light on China’s ancient past. Such as letters from homesick soldiers in the Qin Army and Han garrisons on Silk Road watchtowers, some written on sticks, others on silk, monks, mid-range and low ranking officials, women, slaves.

Each dynasty has its illustrative detail, the highlights of its rule, and how it failed. There is plenty of attention paid to China’s geography, specifically the rivers, and how life rose and changed around these rivers—including the utter devastation when the rivers flooded or altered course.

Confucius is summarized, Mencius barely gets mentioned, but their legacy is worked through the summaries of the evolution of imperial government. I really appreciated the attention paid to the poets, both male and female, and the marvelous descriptions of ancient cities, such as Chang’An. There is also superlative focus on specific works of art that convey an idea of its time as well as its timeless beauty.

The astounding ructions of Chinese history in the twentieth century rightly would take up volumes, but Wood navigates his way by use of diaries, journals, and in more modern times, witness accounts. He includes everyone—grand families with long pedigrees going back centuries, even millenia, farmers, protestors.

I think my favorite bit was the vivid depiction of Song-era Kaifeng, and the description of the amazing scroll-painting “Festival on the River”—which is a highly detailed trip all through the city, from river bank to urban center and out. I would LOVE to see that in person—it’s as close to a time machine glimpse of the past as we can get.

Altogether an absorbing read, enjoyable in many places, heart-breaking in others: when China turned on itself in its wars, millions died, rivaling the profoundly disastrous effects of drought, quake, famine, flooding, and plague. Yet through it all the Chinese rose again and rebuilt, hearkening to their past, their thinking shaped by the enlightened views of ancient sages.

A single-volume history of China, offering a look into the past of the global superpower and its significance today. Michael Wood has travelled the length and breadth of China, the world’s oldest civilization and longest-lasting state, to tell a thrilling story of intense drama, fabulous creativity, and deep humanity that stretches back thousands of years. After a century and a half of foreign invasion, civil war, and revolution, China has once again returned to centre stage as a global superpower and the world’s second-largest economy. But how did it become so dominant? Wood argues that in order to comprehend the great significance of China today, we must begin with its history.

The Story of China takes a fresh look at the Middle Kingdom in light of the recent massive changes inside the country. Taking into account exciting new archaeological discoveries, the book begins with China’s prehistory—the early dynasties, the origins of the Chinese state, and the roots of Chinese culture in the age of Confucius. Wood looks at particular periods and themes that are now being re-evaluated by historians, such as the renaissance of the Song with its brilliant scientific discoveries. He paints a vibrant picture of the Qing Empire in the 18th century, just before the European impact, a time when China’s rich and diverse culture was at its height. Then, Wood explores the encounter with the West, the Opium Wars, the clashes with the British, and the extraordinarily rich debates in the late 19th century that pushed China along the path to modernity.

Finally, he provides a clear up-to-date account of post-1949 China, including revelations about the 1989 crisis based on newly leaked inside documents, and fresh insights into the new order of President Xi Jinping. All woven together with landscape history and the author’s own travel journals, The Story of China is the indispensable book about the most intriguing and powerful country on the world stage today. This is a fascinating, informative and accessible book on an exponentially rising economy and country. Written in fluid, languid prose, Wood has crafted a sweeping exploration of the evolutionary path the country has taken from centuries past right through to the present day and punctuates the timeline of the book with important events that have been most cataclysmic or beneficial to its growth and prosperity. If you have an interest in China and understanding how it became what it is today then I simply cannot recommend this exhaustive volume enough.

An interesting and readable single-volume history of China.

Single-volume histories of complex, powerful nations are often tricky endeavours. They are either unwieldy in their detail and length (and weight, if you're reading a hardcover); or they are too brief, skimming over certain events that a reader might consider important.

Wood does a good job of composing his history, and selecting what he wants to focus on and use to create an overall picture of China's history and how it's relevant to its place in the world today. He draws on well-known figure, and a few lesser-known figures, to paint a fascinating, engaging, and interesting picture of one of the world's most important and dynamic countries.

Definitely recommended.

--Not a good standalone history of China--

I received a review copy of this book from the publisher, and here are my thoughts.

First of all, I can only recommend this book to someone who has viewed the series, as it reads like a companion book, and not a book to be read on its own merits.

Meaning, the skipping around in one chapter from one time period to another or from one tidbit of information to another seems to assume the reader has already seen the series and is a Chinese history expert. On film, cutting back and forth between scenes might make sense. But if you're picking up this book because you're wanting to enjoy a clear, well-written history of China, you will be disappointed.

If you are already a scholar of China and/or have a great knowledge of Chinese culture and history, and have not watched the series, perhaps you can follow this book and read it with pleasure.

I do not consider myself to be a China expert, but have some knowledge of the region and culture, having lived in Taiwan, Hong Kong, China, and Japan for about two decades. So, I am not a complete beginner to Asian cultures. But apparently, not "expert" enough to enjoy this book.

It is obvious that the author is passionate and learned about the history of China. So, it is with disappointment that I give this book 2 stars, for poor editorial choices in allowing this talented scholar to put out a work this disjointed.

For a book titled "The Story of China", I was hoping for something that read in a logical fashion. Also, the review copy I received had no photographs or illustrations. I'm assuming that if someone purchased this book to read along with the filmed series, they would be disappointed.

This book is mind-blowing beyond words. Its attention to detail amazed me. I’ve got way too many passages highlighted.

The author vividly brought China’s history to life - from how China got its name, to showing Confucius’s influence since the Bronze Age (or in China known as Age of Philosophers), the rise of the Qin Empire under King Zhang, the First Emperor, that changed China forever; from getting to know the lives of people through Liye strips, the real life terra-cotta army which included letters written by two brothers giving us a glimpse into their lives behind the army, to the fascinating story of the building of the royal tomb of the First Emperor and so much more.

We’d even get a glimpse into Sima Qian’s life, the lives of poor farmers and their families during the Han era, learn how Greek culture spread into Central Asia and how the Silk Road came into being. Included were also recent findings like letters in silk envelopes with the address and delivery instructions still on the package! And I’m so fascinated by Chang’an!

I plan to visit China one day and this book would definitely help me appreciate my trip there even more. Maybe visit some of the places mentioned in the book such as the Epang Palace, Sima Qian’s tomb, and of course the Terracota Army!

Taut, accessible, well-researched and documented, this is a must-read for those who have an interest in getting to know more about China.

I can’t wait to get my hands on this book once it’s published!

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for providing a free eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This is an expansive mighty documentation of China’s history going all the way back to 1900 BCE chronicling the rise and fall of various dynasties through the Cultural Revolution and into modern-day China. It is a tome of information, with meticulous research, including liberal quotes from people who lived during those times and journaled about their lives, historians living through the ages, as well as the many Chinese poets that graced China’s vast geographic span building a culture rich in the arts, culture, and literature. I’m more familiar with China’s history around the nineteenth century, so this was an interesting look at where China came from centuries before then. This is a dense book, replete with sometimes minute details, so pace yourself and know that you’ll be with the book for quite a while. It took me awhile to follow the first couple of chapters or so as the author went back and forth a bit, but it evened out after that and felt more chronological as the book went on. All in all, a comprehensive account of China’s history along with great insights into the lives of the cumulative Chinese people and their relations to the outside world - great for anyone interested in a thorough account of the history of China. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.

This is an incredible, epic read of Chinese history. Covering 4000 years of history is a daunting task, however the author does an excellent job of it. Breaking down the history into specific dynasties, Wood's makes you feel like you are there as history is being made. He manages to accomplish this not by reciting boring facts and dates, but by telling a story in each section.
This is not a book that you can plow through in one sitting. It requires your attention, and the reading of one chapter at a time, then taking time to digest it. But....you will come away with a much greater appreciation of China and it's people.
On a different note, as I read this, I was discussing the chapters with a Chinese student that we have hosted. She was very surprised, stating several times that she "did not know that"!
I highly recommend this book!

I have read a few books on Chinese history and I was surprised by the unique perspective the author provided on the topic. Despite China having a complicated and expansive history, Michael Wood was able to weave together the pieces of history in a coherent way. This book felt much more engaging than previous historical sagas I have encountered.

I realy enjoyed this book. It didn't only give us a histiry of China. It showed how the events in Chibese history impacted the people of China themselves. It also explored the conflict between our western world views and that of China's eastern world view. I didn't find this book to be dry as some history books can be. I found it to be well written and engaging. I would recommend this book to anyone looking to get a comprehensive look at China.

I would like to thank Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with a copy free of charge. This is my honest and unbiased opinion of it.

Chinese history in not something that is studied with any depth here in the west. As a casual study of history, I have frequently attempted to do this on my own with mixed results. Most of the books that I have read are structured a lot like the history text books from which we learn our own history ... basically a list of dates, events and people on a timeline to memorize. Rarely do we see any attempt to explain the impact of these events on the social consciousness of the society in which they happen. This book not only provides an accessible survey of Chinese history, it compares and contrasts the social difference as well as presenting a reasonable hypothesis for why East and West have such divergent approaches to governance. Key to this examination are the references to contemporary western (greek/roman) philosophers and historians. From this I believe that I have a better understanding of the importance of conformity within eastern cultures, and how such could fall under the influence of such "Machiavellian" thought found within "The Book of Lord Shang." (Loc 1088/12%).

As expected given the time periods covered, this is a huge book packed with a great deal of information; some more interesting to me and some less so. I found myself skimming over a lot of the literary references in part because I had a hard time understanding how they reinforced or supported some of the authors points on Chinese culture. That still left a lot of material to slog through. The book is organized by dynasties (Xia, Shang, Zhou, Qin, Han, Tang, Song, Yuan, Ming, Qin) and interregnums (Warring States, Three Kingdoms, Five Dynasties, Taiping & Boxer Rebellions, etc.), highlighting the cultural contributions (and continuity) of each as well as the reasons for decline and inevitable fall (loss of the Mandate of Heaven). What I found most interesting was the intersection of the Confucian ideal of the sage-ruler and the evolution of rather autocratic rulers (almost as if they knew they didn't have what was needed and through increasing paranoia harshly suppressed any criticism). Criticism and/or failure of any kind seems detrimental to life (not just your own, but you entire family to the 9th degree). This all has something of a discordant feel to people raised within a modern western culture (aka me). For pivotal events ... such as Mao's revolution ... the author tries to show multiple viewpoints (from traditional history to how it played in the rural areas with the common man).

Of all I found this book to be significantly helpful in understanding the differences between the east and west world views and I highly recommend it.

I was given this free advance reader copy (ARC) ebook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
#TheStoryofChina #NetGalley

Thank you for the ARC!
This is one of those books that gets your attention from the first page. The opening scene was so beautifully described, the tension between the emperor and the dowager is very evident.
The China of today and how it can trace its existence through so many events in its past is wonderfully captured.
I enjoyed reading this book very much.

This is a dense read but full of insights and wonderful stories. The readers will be taken to the rich and colorful history of China. I like that the vivid description of events.