Originally published in 1945 at a time when China's importance in world affairs was growing, this book examined the story of China's long past which explains her strengths and weaknesses and rightly predicted the role the country would play in the future of Asia and the world. The book discusses the development of Chinese civilization and succeeds in making China accessible to the non-specialist. Important topics are discussed such as the role of democracy in China and its imperialist ambitions in the region.