The History of Nations Series China & England & Germany

Kliatt, July, 2003 by Paula Rohrlick

THE HISTORY OF NATIONS SERIES. China. C.J. Shane, ed. 238p. 0-7377-1193-0. England. Clarice Swisher, ed. 240p. 0-7377-1129-9. Germany. Annette Dufner, ed. 240p. 0-7377-1195-7. Greenhaven. map. illus. c2003. $16.96 each. SA

These anthologies of articles from primary and secondary sources provide one-volume histories of various countries (Canada, India, Italy, and Russia are others in the series). Each describes the country from its origins to the start of the 21st century, beginning with an introduction that briefly summarizes its history. Articles then describe major events and eras; for example, the volume on China includes articles on the Great Wall of China, the Boxer Rebellion, the warlord period, Chiang Kai-shek and the struggle between the nationalists and the communists, the rape of Nanking, violence in the Cultural Revolution, the Tiananmen Square massacre, damming the Yangtze River, the conflict over Tibet, human rights, China's relations with the U.S., and the struggle for the fate of Thiwan, among other topics. Each article is preceded by a short summary, and there is a chronology in each volume. A useful resource for most school and public library collections as well as for history classrooms. Paula Rohrlick, KLIATT