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The Fall and Rise of China

Written by: Richard Baum, The Great Courses
Narrated by: Richard Baum
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Publisher's Summary

How can we account for China’s momentous - and almost wholly unanticipated - global rise? And what does it mean, for us in the West and for humanity’s future?

Speaking to these vital and fascinating questions, these 48 penetrating lectures by Professor Baum bring to vivid life the human struggles, the titanic political upheavals, and the spectacular speed of China’s modern rebirth. Offering multilevel insight into one of the most astounding real-life dramas of modern history, the lectures weave together the richly diverse developments and sociopolitical currents that created the China you now read about in the headlines.

You’ll get a detailed understanding of all the core events in China’s century of stunning change, including the collapse of the Qing dynasty, the Republican era and civil wars, the "Great Leap Forward", the Cultural Revolution, and the post-Mao economic "miracle". Throughout, Professor Baum reveals highly unusual details that enrich the cinematic sweep of the story. For example, you’ll learn about the Christian warlord who baptized his troops with a fire hose, the strange kidnapping of Chiang K’ai-shek, and Professor Baum’s own smuggling of top-secret documents out of Taiwan.

A core strength of these lectures is that they make sense of the dramatic events of the story by getting deeply at what underlay them, culturally, socially, and historically - leaving you with a nuanced knowledge of the forces moving China’s modern emergence. Bringing alive the passionate reinvention of China with deep discernment and humanity, they portray the confounding, majestic, heart-rending, and visionary story of a modern giant.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying reference material will be available in your Library section along with the audio.

©2010 The Teaching Company, LLC (P)2010 The Great Courses

What listeners say about The Fall and Rise of China

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Everything you need to know about modern China!

Richard Baum's anecdotal story telling interwoven into 45 highly engaging 30+ minute lectures was both a pleasure to listen to and an incredible investment to any newbie sinologists. This is a UCLA education on the commute. Prepare feel like a foreign policy expert on Sino-relations.

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Great audiobook

Excellent audiobook, I will definitely recommend it , so much information, thank you very much for the great audiobook

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eye Opener!

tragic times and behind the scenes incites into China's recent history. missed opportunities revealed

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  • Jm
  • 2019-01-19

Excellent content, production and performance.

I’ll be sure to find more of Richard Baum’s writing. Fascinating content communicated wisely. Excellent.

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Awesome

I've listened to this audio book several times start to finish and I love it! The prof is excellent, his own life experiences make the course even better. Everything I was looking for in this history.

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Listen to the concluding chapter!

Great overview, looking forward to reading more about all the countries in Asia.

I especially loved the conclusion; how although the current political climate is tense and many injustices are happening, there is hope that in the long term things will get better, especially when The People rise up and make a stand for their needs*.
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I think this message applies all over the world. My own country and the USA definitely come to mind.

*I include way more than food and shelter under needs, such as freedom to marry, freedom of expression of gender and freedom from genocide [see the Murdered and Missing Indigenous Women].

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Incredible

Absolutely amazing level of expertise and insight, coupled with a passionate and inspired performance. Cannot recommend highly enough!

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Perfect

He understands China exceptionally well through his official expertise, travels and involvement with major events. What a great series!

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Most captivating Great Courses lecture

I have purchased 7 lectures of The Great Courses series and this one is by far the most captivating, in my opinion. To paraphrase, "China might inspire awe in some, and trepidation in others, but one thing no one can say, is that the history of China is not interesting." Baum narrates the story with great energy and incorporates alliterations and turns of phrase that please the ear, as well as quotations both translated and in Chinese for staggering effect. The mere compilation of so much fascinating and important information is staggering -- this is truly an exceptional deal, to pay so little for such an experience.

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Impeccable

- Very well researched
- Exceptional narration
- Nothing but praise 😁
A solid introduction to contemporary Chinese history and politics.
The author is obviously passionate about China. Coupled with an innate ability to summarize and condense an otherwise challenging subject.
I was just hoping to listen to it in my spare time but ended up finishing it in a week.
Manages to conclude each chapter, leaving the listener wanting to proceed to the next chapter.
RIP Prof. Richard Baum

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