A Short History of Beijing - Paperback
by Jonathan Clements (Author)
A guide to the history of China's capital, from before its rise to prominence as the seat of empires to the 2022 Winter Olympics.
Before China's capital became a sprawling megacity and international center of business and culture, its fortunes fluctuated under a dozen dynasties. It has been a capital for several states, including those headed by Mongolian chiefs and the glorious Ming emperors, whose tombs can still be found on its outskirts. And before all that, it was a campsite for primitive hominids, known as the Peking Man. A Short History of Beijing tells the story of this remarkable city, from its more famous residents--Khubilai Khan, Marco Polo, and Chairman Mao--right up to the twenty-first century, as modern construction wiped out so much of the old city to make way for its twenty-million-strong population. Through his timely and intimate portrait of the world's most populous capital city, Jonathan Clements reveals the history of China itself.Jonathan Clements is an author and TV presenter specializing in the history and cultures of the Far East. Previous books by him include An Armchair Traveller's History of Tokyo, The Emperor's Feast, and Anime: A History.
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