The book examines China's modernization journey from the 19th century, triggered by Western imperialism and the Opium Wars, leading to the Qing Empire's vulnerability. It details the transition from monarchy to republic post-Xinhai Revolution and the subsequent rise of militaristic factions. The narrative covers the unification under the Kuomintang, the impact of the Japan-China War, and the Civil War, culminating in the establishment of the People's Republic in 1949. The author analyzes the political and economic transformations from 1978 onwards, highlighting China's evolution into a dynamic socialist market economy.
