This is a revision of the long-successful, short, illustrated cultural history of China, from its beginnings to the present day, first published in 1980 and continuously in use over several editions in colleges and universities nationwide. A brilliant and concise study, it traces China's history and culture from Neolithic times to the present. Elements of the culture, in thought, art, and the life of society, are woven into the historical narrative, as the author illuminates the essential Chinese design, the underlying mental set of the people and the society. The book is designed as a straightforward, detail-rich portrait of a nation not well understood in the West. The position of China on the international scene has changed markedly since the current edition was published in 1995: over recent years dramatic alterations have taken place with the beginning of private as opposed to state production; an enormous increase in private production and global sales has been seen. These years have also been the occasion of China's integration into the world financial system. There has been a serious reconsideration of China-US relations in both their commercial and military aspects.
The book is distinctive in its incorporation of cultural elements, at their high point, into the unfolding story of the political events. Rather than just following the political and military course of history, treating them separately from the cultural side, Morton presents an integrated view, showing the parallel development of cultural and political events, as well as their influence on each other.