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

A Solid and engaging history

This is a very accessible history of China, especially from the colonial period through the end of the 2000's. While its age doesn't allow it to comment on the current regime, one can see the underpinnings of current policy in the history of previous CCCP governments. I learned quite a bit about how the major events in post-1949 China

Fascinating

Would you listen to The Fall and Rise of China again? Why?

Yes. It contains so much information and listening to it again would improve a coherent understanding of the recent history of China.

What does Professor Richard Baum bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

His love and enthusiasm for the subject are reflected in his voice and presentation style.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

No. The sheer duration makes this pretty much impossible. Daily 30 minute lectures on my commute to work are perfect.

Best Great Courses Yet!

I’ve done a bunch of and love the great courses. So far this is by far my favorite. Richard Baum does a superb job of putting together a cohesive and relevant modern history of China. His sprinkling of personal stories from his own interactions add a welcome humanity to the history. I would recommend this to everyone!

great info

The book is incredibly well done, author was fantastic, gives a better insight to the country of China

excellent book.

a lot of things became clear about China after listening to this great lecture. Although quite a lot of things have changed since 2010, and not for the better, it would be great to get an update on Mr. Baum's China-watching.

The book although long was entertaining and fascinating throughout.

good history background but very naive conclusion

informative and available to the Casual reader. but his conclusions about the future are very optimistic and don't even mention the 2025 Chinese plan for world domination. He should read General McCauley's book stealth War

Compelling and interesting history

Professor Baum is engaging and has a pleasant voice for delivery. The older history is terrific. Sadly professor Baum passed away in 2012 and this lecture series was completed in 2010. It would be very interesting to know what a 2022 update would encompass given the continued authoritarianism and technically facilitated government oversight under President Xi. But this history is very much worth listening to.

Excellent

A great overview of modern Chinese history. Author clearly has great command of this subject.

Absolutely fascinating

Hands down the best body of work about China I‘ve seen and can imagine. Clear, compelling, balanced and utterly captivating.

Superb course

Very interesting though would have loved more. The lecturer is top notch and really keeps your attention.