Best Chinese History Books of 2025

The Art of War is a classic book on military strategy written by Sun Tzu. This edition, approved by the Holden-Crowther Organisation for Asian Studies, is a decent version of the book, although the chapters are intentionally not in order. The authorship of Sun Tzu is still a mystery, but his timeless tactics and strategies remain relevant. The book falls under the category of success and self-help books and is published by CreateSpace Classics. Overall, The Art of War is a must-read for anyone interested in military strategy and leadership.

The Art of War by Sun Tzu is a must-read for anyone interested in military strategy and history. This complete edition includes the Preface, Introduction, appreciations of Sun Tzu, Apologies for war, and Bibliography, making it the definitive version of the text. The book is composed of 13 chapters, each devoted to a different set of skills related to warfare and how it applies to military strategy and tactics. It has influenced both Eastern and Western military thinking, business tactics, legal strategy, lifestyles and beyond. The book is a true classic that belongs on every bookshelf!

The Peking Express is a thrilling true story set in China's republican era about train-robbing revolutionaries and passengers who got more than they paid for. The book is a Murder on the Orient Express-style adventure that tells the incredible true story of a clash that shocked the world and set the course for China's two-decade civil war. The author has done an amazing amount of research, and the book is brilliantly written with new and original research. The use of quoted speech, all of it sourced from memoirs and newspaper reports, makes the human voice heard often and to good effect. Overall, The Peking Express is a fascinating and impressive work that is unique in its genre.

The Hundred-Year Marathon by Michael Pillsbury is a revealing book on China's secret strategy to replace America as the world's leading superpower. Pillsbury, a leading China expert, offers an inside look at how the Chinese view America and its leaders and how the US government has unwittingly helped China achieve its goals. The book is based on interviews with Chinese defectors and newly declassified national security documents. Pillsbury calls for a new, more competitive strategy toward China, as it really is, and not as we might wish it to be. The book is a wake-up call to the greatest national security challenge of the twenty-first century.

Genghis Khan and the Making of the Modern World is a fascinating book that portrays Genghis Khan in a new light, depicting him as a great secular leader. The author, Jack Weatherford, provides a lively analysis of the Mongol Empire's rise, which subjugated more lands and people in 25 years than the Romans did in 400. This book is a brilliant work of revisionist history that takes readers on a journey from Genghis Khan's rise through tribal culture to the explosion of civilization that the Mongol Empire unleashed. Overall, Weatherford's account gives a generous view of the Mongol conqueror at his best and worst, making this book a must-read for history enthusiasts.

The Rape of Nanking by Iris Chang is a heart-wrenching account of one of the most brutal massacres in history, when the Japanese army destroyed China's capital city on the eve of World War II. The book tells the story from three perspectives: the Japanese soldiers, the Chinese, and a group of Westerners who created a safety zone. Chang's meticulous research and use of survivor testimonies paint a vivid picture of the atrocities that occurred. This book is a powerful reminder of the horrors of war and the importance of remembering history.

The Avoidable War: The Dangers of a Catastrophic Conflict between the US and Xi Jinping's China is a penetrating and sensible book that provides a realistic portrayal of China's motivations, while warning of the growing possibility of war. Kevin Rudd, a former Australian prime minister, offers well-thought-out proposals for preventing a catastrophic outcome and global carnage. The book is one of the best primers on US-China relations and stands out for its insights into the mindsets of the leadership that will determine if a war will be fought. Overall, it is a valuable read for anyone interested in Chinese history books and geopolitics.

The History of the Ancient World: From the Earliest Accounts to the Fall of Rome by Susan Wise Bauer is an engaging narrative history that connects the cultures of the ancient world. Bauer uses literature, epic traditions, private letters, and accounts to connect kings and leaders with the lives of those they ruled. The book covers the ancient worlds of Sumer, Egypt, India, China, Greece, Mesopotamia, and Rome, and provides dozens of maps and timelines to give readers a sense of the passage of years and cultural interconnection. Although the chapters on Asia and India are the least developed, the book provides an engrossing tapestry of human behavior from which we may draw conclusions about the direction of world events and the causes behind them. Overall, this is an excellent book for anyone interested in ancient history.

The Last Kings of Shanghai by Jonathan Kaufman is a captivating tale of two Jewish dynasties, the Sassoons and the Kadoories, who played a significant role in shaping modern China. Kaufman's extensive research and writing skills bring to life the stories of these ambitious families who profited from the Opium Wars, survived Japanese occupation, and courted Chiang Kai-shek, among other notable events. The book provides a rare glimpse into the deep inequality and political turmoil that marked China's modern history. Overall, The Last Kings of Shanghai is a well-written, informative, and engaging read that sheds light on a lesser-known aspect of China's past.

Red Roulette: An Insider's Story of Wealth, Power, Corruption, and Vengeance in Today's China is a gripping memoir of Desmond Shum's rise to the top levels of power and wealth in China, along with his wife Whitney Duan. However, their fates diverged irrevocably when Whitney disappeared along with three coworkers. This explosive memoir provides insight into how the Chinese government keeps business in line and what happens when businesspeople overstep. It is a powerful and disturbing read, offering a unique perspective on the most secretive of global powers.