The Fall and Rise of China

By: Richard Baum, The Great Courses

Narrated by: Richard Baum

Length: 24 hrs and 8 mins

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

Another great and well deliveri lecture series !

An important and well delivered lecture course from The Great Courses! If you love or fear China you must listen and learn about it's past and present. This is an excellent introduction to the waking dragon.

Entertaining and Informative

Really enjoyed! Would love it if it was updated to include the last decade. A fascinating subject.

Excellent and thorough

This series is outstanding. The speaker provides deep insights on a wide range of historical issues and personalities. A very enjoyable listen

Enlightening and Relevant

This is a very important book in understanding the psyche of China for Westerners, especially in today's political environment.

I really enjoyed professor Baum's portrayal of Deng Xiaoping, and the monumental role he played in normalising China post-Mao.

The book is narrated well, with the author's dry sense of humour shining through in his unbiased and extensive observations of China over many decades.

My only regret is that professor Baum's did not live to see 2020, and I found his closing remarks about this year poignant and ironic.

Highly recommended.

Can't fault it excellent reader and knowledge made the story live for the reader

Excellent reader and knowledge richard makes the story of China live and real one off the best I have listened too

Chairman Baum ‘s clear eyed, exciting revealing account on Chinese history

It is a must- read / listen of Chinese history. Prof Baum ‘s personal trips and experience and encounters with Chinese and its VIPs are invaluable.
I thoroughly enjoyed this Great Course which is really great!

A must read to understand today's China

it's clear that China is going to play a major role in world affairs. I thought it important to learn more about China's history so I could understand their present day actions and motivations. These lectures definitely did that. Anyone who is involved with China either politically or in business should listen to these lectures.

Excellent and thorough review of China history.

Really enjoyed learning about China and how it got to be a super power. Wish there was an update for more recent history as the lectures only went up to 2008 time period. The next 15 after that would also be interesting.

A Great Story of China

This was an incredible lecture series from an expert on China. It was well told and entertaining to listen to.

Amazing book in every way.

Very interesting and engaging from beginning to end. I would have loved to hear a second version by professor Richard Baum but unfortunately he died of cancer in 2012...very sad.