China Simplified: History Flashback - Softcover

Stewart Lee Beck has worked in China since 1992 as a marketing director, bartender, magazine columnist, philanthropist, screenwriter, and documentary producer. This diversity of experience, coupled with his endless fascination with Chinese history and culture, fueled his second book, History Flashback.

Sun Zhumin pursues her storytelling dreams as a producer, screenwriter, editor, and translator in her native China. During the creation of this book, her first, Zhumin had imaginary conversations with ancestors, received input from her two kids, and debated it with her history-buff husband.

"A delightful romp through 5,000 years of Chinese history.... there's something for everybody in this snapshot--vividly illustrated and lucidly explained--of the world's oldest living civilization. Novices to the field will be enlightened; expert Sinologists will be entertained by the witty and often irreverent treatment of a rich history too often obscured by dull prose and pompous exegesis."

-- Andrew Browne, China columnist, The Wall Street Journal

"With a splendid combination of wide research and good humour, this book gives readers an excellent introduction to Chinese history from Sima Qian to Chairman Mao. You'll enjoy yourself so much you might not realize how much you're learning. Highly recommended."

-- Rana Mitter, Director of the University China Centre, Professor of the History and Politics of Modern China, University of Oxford

"This is the history book for people that didn't know they love history! The authors both entertain and inform with each turn of the page, to leave us with a lighthearted appreciation for the supreme depth of Chinese civilization."

-- Yue-Sai Kan, Chinese American television host and producer

"Precisely because China is so immense, complex, and contradictory, China Simplified is valuable in giving a clean, clear line to the main developments in China's history. I found their approach entertaining and enlightening."

-- James Fallows, The Atlantic

"As an artist seeking inspiration and further information about my roots in China, China Simplified comes at the perfect time. You cannot improve the future without learning from the past. Stewart & Zhumin have done much of the work pinpointing and distilling details in to an easy read!"

-- Dana Leong, Grammy Winning Artist, World Economic Forum Young Global Leader

"A concise yet comprehensive book on Chinese history. It connects Chinese and Western timelines and makes it easy for readers to explore the historic Chinese eras in which they are interested. Those who want to understand China can now do it with ease."

-- Jesse Wu, International Vice President, Johnson & Johnson

"This book gives an exciting tour through a long, varied and fascinating history. Engagingly written and beautifully illustrated, History Flashback is a wonderful introduction to Chinese culture."

-- James Uden, Associate Professor of Classical Studies, Boston University

"Stewart and Zhumin both entertain and inform as storytellers, drawing upon the essential works of Chinese and Western scholars to leave us with an understanding of modern China's many contradictions and challenges. I enjoy being able to recommend their work to both China veterans and new arrivals."

-- Brantley Turner, American Principal, Shanghai Qibao Dwight High School

"As a China consultant for over 40 years, I found this book to be a fun and insightful journey into China's past. I highly recommend it for those who seek to better understand today's China and how it emerged as a global player."

-- Greg Whitehorn, Directions Management Consulting

"All multinationals should give China Simplified's books to their executives coming to China for a fun cultural introduction."

-- Didi Dai, Tournament Director, IMG Golf, Asia Pacific

"Both informative and fun; a masterstroke!"

-- Bruno Lannes, Partner at a well-known consulting company in China