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

Needs Critical Updating

Great book with a lot of great information. However, a lot has happened in China since 2013 and this book needs a critical update.

Masterpiece, just finished it, and starting it again

Richard Baum is incredible. An engaging 40+ hr history audible book is no simple task. Couldn't stop listening. I just moved to China, running a consumer business. Anyone living or working in China should listen to this. Couldn't imagine not having this context. My Chinese customers appreciate my knowledge of Chinese history, and my interest in key historical players and events.

If I had six stars to give I would do it in a heartbeat.

Excellent

Where does The Fall and Rise of China rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

At the top of the list

Who was your favorite character and why?

The Professor who wrote the book

Have you listened to any of Professor Richard Baum’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

no

Any additional comments?

I am not sure which is the most interesting- the history of China, as told by Professor Baum, or the personal stories Professor Baum tells of his own adventures in learning about China, his visit to China or his sources of information concerning of the personal plots, intrigue, interplay and personal relations among the leaders of China from Mao to the present. This is a very interesting history book, written by a knowledgeable professor and narrated very ably by the author.

A wonderful surprise - Who would have thought?

What made the experience of listening to The Fall and Rise of China the most enjoyable?

This was my first listen to a course serries on Audible. I was unsure what to expect. The author/professor's depth of knowledge and ability to provide details and nuanced meaning of the historical events were invigorating to the topic.

What other book might you compare The Fall and Rise of China to and why?

I am a fan of Barbara Tuchman and this narration seemed similar to me.

Any additional comments?

great insight into China is today and how they got there. Much ground work is covered to establish what makes the Chinese tick. Wonderful insights.

A great story by a knowledgable storyteller

Where does The Fall and Rise of China rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Near the top of non-fiction and at the top of the great courses series.

What other book might you compare The Fall and Rise of China to and why?

From Yao to Mao, another good listen the the Great Courses series. 'From Yao' covers about 5000 years of Chinese history in a very accessible way. I have many of the Great Courses and From Yao is one of my favorites.

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

You cannot read the book, it is verbal lecture only. But Richard Baum brings great passion and excellent delivery. He was close to a number of the exciting events in modern Chinese history and his voice often swells with emotion when he remembers them. His delivery is very good, few hesitations, frequent personal anecdotes.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Yes, the story of Tienanmen Square in 1989. Baum was in China at the time and knows people involved. You can tell that the professor is torn between the horror of the massacre for which Deng XiaoPing is responsible and his strong preference for Deng's economic program for opening China and overcoming the backwardness for which Mao and his 'rightist' disciples were responsible.

Any additional comments?

Recommend listening to From Yao to Mao first to get a great background in Chinese history before going on to this more detailed modern history. There is a bit of overlap because this one begins more or less around the Opium Wars and 'From Yao' ends with Mao. But the modern history is covered in great detail. It is a terrific story.

Excellent Course!

If you could sum up The Fall and Rise of China in three words, what would they be?

This course provides an excellent foundation to better understand China and it's emerging place in the world. Something we all should take notice of.I took a two semesters of this topic as an undergrad but I have to say, this was much better.In all, this has been one of the best in the Great Courses series.Professor Baum was also excellent. I wish I would have had him when I was in college

insight story. great and intresting perspective.

the story is told with a view from the pcp with personal information wich enriches the understanding of the Chinese government and culture of today. really good.

A must listen for anyone who is interested in China

Professor Baum has been a China watcher for 4 decades. This course contains countless personal experiences, first hand information, and thorough research. What make this course truly great is not only Professor Baum’s knowledge, insights and exceptional teaching skills, but also his deep reflection on humanity throughout his teaching and analysis especially on politics figures and political events. Highly recommend this course.

Insightful on the self interest of Great powers.

What made the experience of listening to The Fall and Rise of China the most enjoyable?

The presentation of the stories, timelines, and characters are made interesting and hold your attention.

What did you like best about this story?

It helps you to see the Big Picture in a concise manner.

What about Professor Richard Baum’s performance did you like?

Entertaining delivery.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

It was a stark reminder of the human condition as it relates to greed, power, and self-centered existence.

Any additional comments?

A reminder, it's important to form your conclusions about political and social history with the "understanding that all foreign policy is about self interest and self interest alone." The strong and united will survive.

simply great

Simply one of the greatest on the subject from one of the greatest China watchet. RIP Richard Baum.