*History: Background Information

The encyclopedia will provoke a refreshing, and unprecedented opportunity to explore China and Chinese perspectives without bias, political agendas, or excessively narrow focus on a single industry or issue. This encyclopedia is meant for any person - student, teacher, businessperson, government official, tourist - who seeks an understanding of China, in the past, present, and future. We expect that the typical user will be someone who wants to find information about a specific topic but also wants to easily and quickly learn more.

This is a convenient thousand-page reference on China from its early beginnings, with a clear focus on the modern period from the mid-nineteenth century to the 21st century. Arranged in alphabetical order, it covers the history, geography, society, economy, politics, science, and culture of China. All contributions are written by an international team of European, Asian, Australian and American experts, carefully selected from a wide spectrum of academic disciplines. Originally published and warmly received in German (edited by the GIGA Institute of Asian Studies in Hamburg, published by WBG, Darmstadt, 2003), this English translation, including a statistical data update, will serve both English-language students and faculty in conveniently providing a wealth of reliable and solid information on China. With illustrations, maps, tables, ample indices and bibliographies.

This book offers for the first time a comprehensive study of South Asia in one volume, analyzing not only the riches of the past but also the problems & achievements of the present, placing them where appropriate in their global context. The South Asian region, which comprises the present day states of India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bhutan, & the Maldives, has long been significant in world affairs. Today more than one out of every five members of the human race lives in the region, & each month their absolute number increases by well over a million. This fifth of mankind embraces enormous diversity: every level of human development from stone-age tribesman to Nobel prizewinner; many levels of wealth from mass poverty to comfortable middle class consumerism; the believers of seven major religions; the bearers of three racial strains; & the speakers of languages in two major families with India alone acknowledging fourteen official languages & 1,652 mother tongues. The international team of contributors presents the world of South Asia in an accessible & enjoyable form, which will appeal to both specialists & general readers. The Encyclopedia is richly illustrated with many photographs, maps, & tables closely interwoven with the text.

In a series of in-depth essays, this book describes the United States' response to diplomatic, economic, military, political, and cultural developments in East Asia. While focusing particularly on China, Japan, Korea, and Vietnam, the encyclopedia also provides solid coverage of Burma, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand, and Taiwan. Written by distinguished scholars from nine countries, the entries cover all of the significant people, controversies, conflicts, and agreements of the past two centuries. Individual entries, many of which were written by the acknowledged authority on the subject, reflect the most current thinking and up-to-date research, and include sources of additional information. This encyclopedia will be useful to Asian specialists and students, as well as scholars in the broader fields of international history and foreign relations, making it an excellent resource for public and academic libraries. A chronology 17 maps A list of acronyms A personnel summary A selected bibliography

This encyclopedia provides a record of the history, geography, politics, culture and peoples of Asia. The 3000 signed articles include 1200 biographies.

"More than 1,000 entries explore all aspects of China's past, present and future, with essay-length entries on provinces and major cities; Buddhism, Confucianism, Taoism and other religions; family life; calligraphy, embroidery, sculpture and other arts and crafts; folktales and mythology; martial arts, including tai chi chuan and kung fu; native animals and plants; emperors and dynasties; political movements and institutions; traditional medicine; contemporary leaders; festivals and holidays; foreign relations; language and writing; educational systems; Chinese communities around the world; and much more. Photographs and illustrations depict Chinese art and architecture, everyday life, cities, and political figures. An extensive system of cross-references link concepts, people and events."--BOOK JACKET.Title Summary field provided by Blackwell North America, Inc. All Rights Reserved