In 1850, China was the 'sick man of Asia'. Now it is set to become the most powerful nation on earth. The Penguin History of Modern China shows how turbulent that journey has been. For 150 years China has endured as victim to brutality on an unmatched scale, to oppression, to war and to famine. This makes its current position as the newest and, arguably, most important global superpower all the more extraordinary. Jonathan Fenby's clear and comprehensive account of China's recent past, now updated to take in the eighteenth National Congress of the Communist Party in Autumn 2012, is the definitive guide to this remarkable transformation. Second Edition A Financial Times and Economist Book of the Year 'A wonderful history of modern China and a cracking good read.' Chris Patten 'The first major history that looks at the country with the eyes of the twenty-first century.' Rana Mitter, Financial Times 'Superb . . . a miracle of thoroughness, truthfulness and readability - the perfect primer for a time when China is about to enter all our lives.' George Walden, Sunday Telegraph 'Taut, anecdote-studded . . . a great introduction for a general audience, with vivid scene setting and character sketches.' Michael Sheridan, Sunday Times