Description
Book SynopsisMany books have tried to analyze the reasons for the Chinese communist success in China''s 1945_1949 civil war, but Suzanne Pepper''s seminal work was the first and remains the only comprehensive analysis of how the ruling Nationalists lost that war_not just militarily, but by alienating the civilian population through corruption and incompetence. Now available in a new edition, this authoritative investigation of Kuomintang failure and communist success explores the new research and archival resources available for assessing this pivotal period in contemporary Chinese history. Even more relevant today given the contemporary debates in Hong Kong and Taiwan over the terms of reunification with a communist-led national government in Beijing, this book is essential reading for anyone seeking a nuanced understanding of twentieth-century Chinese politics.
Trade ReviewA splendid contribution to our understanding of that part of the Chinese Revolution between the defeat of Japan and the proclamation of the People's Republic of China. We are not likely to have a better account of the politics of a major turning point in history than this one. * American Political Science Review *
This superb piece of scholarship is the definitive account of the political conflict between the Nationalists and the Communists during China's war of 1945—1949. It is a most important addition to our knowledge of the history of modern China and will be required reading in any course on that subject. * Journal of Asian Studies *
A major contribution. . . . Pepper develops a balanced and intelligent analysis of the reasons behind Koumingtang failure and communist success. Not content with a monocasual explanation of the outcome, she compares the two parties to the Civil War along a variety of dimensions: relations with students and intellectuals, land reform measures, industrial management, fiscal measures and the like. Her discussion combines a careful analysis of policy documents with a comparative examination of actual policy implementation and impact. The result is the first comprehensive and convincing account of the Civil War period. It is required reading of anyone seeking the roots of the historic Chinese Communist victory in 1949. * CHOICE *
Twenty years after its original publication, Civil War in China remains the definitive work on the five-year conflict between the Guomindang and the Communist Party to win control of China. Pepper's painstakingly researched and well-balanced accounthas become the standard textbook for students of the civil war, political conflict, and state-building. Her analysis of the weaknesses that led the Nationalists to defeat and the strengths that propelled the Communists to power have stood the test of time and remains as relevant today as it was when originally published in 1978. A classic and a must for all serious scholars of revolution and political conflict. University of Pittsburghhh -- Patricia Stranahan, University of Pittsburgh
Indispensible to those interested in this important period of Chinese history, in the political organization of China, or in an analysis of the bases of political power. * Asian Affairs *
At long last we have an authoritative, thorough investigation of the crucial five-year period of Chinese civil war which marks the transition of the largest nation in Asia from one international power block to another. This is a first-rate study of the period and is likely to be standard for years. * History Teacher *
Twenty years after its original publication, Civil War in China remains the definitive work on the five-year conflict between the Guomindang and the Communist Party to win control of China. Pepper's painstakingly researched and well-balanced account has become the standard textbook for students of the civil war, political conflict, and state-building. Her analysis of the weaknesses that led the Nationalists to defeat and the strengths that propelled the Communists to power have stood the test of time and remains as relevant today as it was when originally published in 1978. A classic and a must for all serious scholars of revolution and political conflict. University of Pittsburgh -- Patricia Stranahan, University of Pittsburgh
Any well-concieved, well-researched, and well-written study of the revolution that brought about the total reordering of one's history's major civilizations should find an audience among historians. Suzanne Pepper's balanced treatment of the urban intellectual response to the political morass that was both cause and effect of China's civil war is such a book. * The Historian *
Table of ContentsChapter 1 Part I: The Last Years of Kuomintang Rule Chapter 2 Introduction Chapter 3 The Beginning of the End: Take-over from the Japanese Chapter 4 The Student Anti-war Movement Chapter 5 The Political Costs of Economic Mismanagement Chapter 6 A Summary of the Indictment: The Intelligentsia's Critique of the Kuomintang Part 7 Part II: The Communist Alternative Chapter 8 The Intelligentsia's Critique of the Chinese Communists Chapter 9 The Return to Land Reform Chapter 10 The Return to the Cities Chapter 11 A New Beginning: The Communist Take-over from the Kuomintang Chapter 12 The Politics of Civil War
