East Asia: From Chinese Predominance to the Rise of the Pacific Rim - Softcover

Arthur Cotterell

2.83

6 ratings by Goodreads

9780712667845: East Asia: From Chinese Predominance to the Rise of the Pacific Rim

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0712667849 ISBN 13: 9780712667845

Publisher: Pimlico. Book Condition: Used - L, 2002

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In recent decades there has been a dramatic transformation around the Pacific Rim. No longer 'the Far East' - that exotic, mysterious land at the distant fringe of Western consciousness - East Asia today commands the attention of the entire world. In East Asia, Arthur Cotterell condenses into a compact, highly readable book an immense amount of historical knowledge, placing this amazing economic development in its proper perspective - an Asian one. Cotterell ranges from the dawn of Chinese civilization to Japan's emergence as the first East Asian nation to develop an industrial economy. And he brings his history up to the present, examining America's setbacks in the Korean and Vietnam Wars, Japan's rise as an economic superpower, and the recent histories of countries such as reunited Vietnam, Indonesia and Singapore. Cotterell goes on to suggest that Japan will eventually be overtaken by its neighbours, concluding that relations between the Chinese and the Japanese will ultimately determine the future of East Asia, although over the coming decades the key Pacific partners remain China and the United States. With spectacular historical perspective, Arthur Cotterell performs an invaluable service to all those who wish to have deeper understanding of our newest, and most competitive, trading partners.

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About the Author:

About the Author:
Arthur Cotterell is the author of China, A Cultural History and First Emperor of China, which has been published in seven languages.

Review:

"East Asia is an ambitious book about a subject vital to the world of the 1990's, and it does give a brief overview of the ancient countries of that region."--Magill Book Reviews for Dow Jones News/Retrieval

"Remarkably concise yet comprehensive account of one of the world's key regions....An impressively compact work, combining arresting detail and bold outlines....A reliable perspective of the historical processes that have shaped a crucial part of the modern world."--Education

"Cotterell's concise book is richly informative....An illuminating and valuable guide."--Times Literary Supplement

"An insider's look at the complex histories and interrelationships of Japan, China, Indonesia and Thailand, as well as the Koreas, Taiwan, the Phillipines, Malaysia, Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam....A concise history that doesn't shy away from drawing conclusions or peering into the future....An intelligent picture of several key 21st-century global economic and political players. Spend a few hours with this concise, authoritative and, just as important, readable work."--The Times

"Arthur Cotterell has produced a small miracle - a highly readable history of East Asia in 339 pages. A lively book, and one that will have something new to say to any reader."--John Bresnan, Columbia University

"This book is one of the best works on the history and development of East Asia. Students enjoy the easy and enjoyable reading style, and find the work invaluable for understanding the region from a comparative viewpoint. The text is useful for students of history, political science, sociology, and nearly all of the humanities."--Eric Harwit, University of Hawaii

"Comprehensive, up-to-date."--Victoria Sill, University of San Francisco

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