The Aftermath of the Chinese Nationalist Revolution (Aftermath of History)

Grade 9 Up—From Mao Zedong's China, Gay backtracks to the 1911 Wuchang Rebellion, but oversimplifies the multiple causes of the Manchus' ouster. Her informative account continues through the 1923–'28 conflict and up to the creation of the People's Republic of China in 1949. A thin time line, a useful who's who, source notes, and a list of 10 (mostly recent) books and 4 Web sites add value. Challenging vocabulary is explained parenthetically (although the explanation of "fascist" is misleading). Gay sometimes cites popular sentiment without sources or explanation (she states that in 1914 peasants ignored politics for peace, but in 1915 they wanted a republic at all costs). She omits the intellectual "New Culture" revolution entirely. Abundant illustrations are well chosen (but the two maps are too few and too small). Overall, however, this account is readable and interesting, and the subject is important. A brief epilogue takes the story to the present.—Patricia D. Lothrop, St. George's School, Newport, RI
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This book in the Aftermath of History series offers a lucid account of the civil turmoil that began in China with the successful revolution led by Dr. Sun Yat-sen in 1911, and culminated with the establishment of the People’s Republic in 1949. In Gay’s view, the Communists ultimately came out on top because their army was better organized, more idealistic, and better at earning popular support than either Chiang Kai-shek’s Nationalist party or the European—and later, Japanese—powers that muscled in to create spheres of influence in the country. The author adds frequent side looks at related topics, plus a useful Who’s Who of major figures. Though illustrated with just an occasional map and a set of murky black-and-white photos, this study is well supported with endnotes, and closes with several pages of leads to further information in both print and digital media. Grades 7-10. --John Peters