
A Short History of Asia
Colin Mason(Author)
Palgrave MacMillan (Publisher)
2nd Edition
Published on 12. November 2005
Book
Hardback
332 pages
978-1-4039-3611-0 (ISBN)
Article exhausted; check for reprint
Description
The peoples of Asia now make up more than half of the world's population. They are increasingly well-educated, and successful in every area of modern trade and technology. Their influence in the rest of the world is also becoming greater. Colin Mason provides a readable and clear introduction to their history and traditions, from prehistory right up to the present day. This thoroughly revised, updated and expanded new edition includes the substantial changes and additions made necessary by the fast-changing scene in Asia, particularly China's increasing prominence in world affairs. There are new chapters on Afghanistan and Taiwan, and on World War Two and its significance in Asia, as well as extensive reworking of the chapters on the nations of South Asia. Maps and illustrations now also enrich the text throughout, making this the essential guide to the history of a fascinating continent and its peoples.
Reviews / Votes
'An authoritative, well-organised and well-written book.' - D. R. SarDesai, Emeritus Professor of History, University of California Los Angeles, USA International praise for the current edition: 'A former foreign correspondent, broadcaster and diplomat, Mason has actually lived in Asia rather than observed it from afar. With this wealth of experience...he has the confidence to inject anecdote and a real feeling for recent history.' - Ed Peters, South China Morning Post 'Mason's history reaffirms or reveals many details and also broadly challenges persistent Western approaches to Asian history in an account that roams widely.' - The Sydney Morning Herald 'The book is quite a remarkable achievement. Mason has covered a great deal of territory and shows that he has both a sense of the current dynamics of Asia and a command of the considerable scholarly literature on the earlier period. The work raises a good many interesting themes to which students would respond positively.' - Merle Ricklefs, Australian National University 'What Mason assembles is a very impressive sweep of the history of a colossal portion of the world where he touches upon the main themes, events and personalities, peppered with numerous interesting stories and personal anecdotes. This ambitious undertaking is lucid and interesting, and most useful for the generalist reader seeking to understand the broad events of Asian history.' - Anthony L. Smith, New Zealand Journal of Asian Studies 'This book will benefit all general readers and first-year undergraduates who are embarking on Asian Studies as part of a multi-disciplinary programme.' - Burjor Avari, Contemporary South Asia 'Succinct, wide ranging and very readable. Ideally suited for the first year undergraduate with little previous exposure to Asian history.' - James Chiriyankandath, London Guildhall University 'Mason's account is readable and is influenced by his experiences as a foreign correspondent, broadcaster, diplomat and parliamentarian.' - Peter Lowe, University of Manchester, HERMore details
Edition
2nd Revised edition
Language
English
Place of publication
Gordonsville
United States
Publishing group
Palgrave USA
Target group
College/higher education
Professional and scholarly
Edition type
Revised edition
Illustrations
6 maps, 16pics
Dimensions
Height: 223 mm
Width: 143 mm
Thickness: 22 mm
Weight
531 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-4039-3611-0 (9781403936110)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
New editions

Colin Mason
A Short History of Asia
Book
06/2014
3rd Edition
Red Globe Press
€99.50
Article exhausted; check different version
Previous edition
Colin Mason
A Short History of Asia
Book
05/2000
Palgrave Macmillan
€58.91
Article exhausted; check for reprint
Person
COLIN MASON has been Chief Correspondent in Asia for the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, a diplomat, a senator and leader of his party in the Senate.
Content
List of Maps List of Illustrations Introduction PART I: BEFORE IMPERIALISM Prehistory and the First Indian Civilisations The Development of Indian Culture Early South-East Asia China: The Eternal Nation Early Japan and the Tang Dynasty in China The Awakening of Europe and the Challenge of Islam Floodtide in China: The Song, Mongol and Ming Dynasties China: Ebbtide The Three Makers of Japan and the Tokugawa Period PART II: THE WHITE MAN'S BURDEN The Dominators and the Dominated South-East Asia: The European and Chinese Incursions and Later History of the Mainland Peoples The Malay World: Majapahit and Malacca Indonesia: The Last Independent Kingdoms and the Extension of Dutch Rule India Under Two Masters: The Grand Moguls and the East India Company Gandhi's India: The Struggle for Liberty PART III: THE MODERN NATIONS World War Two and the End of Empire South Asia: Freedom, Partition and Tragedy Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan China: Two Revolutions Modern China: The Communist State Indonesia: Sukarno and After Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei Japan: The Iron Triangle Thailand: Two Hats - The Struggle for Democracy The Philippines: Trouble in Paradise Korea: Divided Nation Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia Burma: Rule By the Gun Asia - Today and Tomorrow Suggested Further Reading Index