Gilles Guiheux is a historian and sociologist at Universite Paris Cite.
‘A comprehensive and well-balanced account of today’s China and how it evolved, from the political system to culture, from history to twenty-first-century society, set in the context of the long-term national development of the country whose evolution will affect the whole world.’ Jonathan Fenby, author of The Penguin History of Modern China ‘Moving beyond tired frames that stress China’s uniqueness and incommensurability, Guiheux skilfully situates the history of the PRC in broadly comparative terms. Particularly effective is the balance struck between a chronological account and the thematically specific analyses of politics, society, culture and economy. A wonderful achievement of synthesis and insight with much to offer to both specialist and lay reader alike.’ Arunabh Ghosh, Harvard University ‘To many, China is a complicated, threatening and opaque nation. Gilles Guiheux aims to “‘de-exoticize’ China and analyse its transformations in the light of other human societies”, and he succeeds. By the book’s final page, the mysterious and alien become transparent and familiar, serving the reader well as the West strategizes a constructive path forward with the most populous superpower.’ Chris Fenton, Former President of DMG Entertainment Motion Picture Group (China)