Over 100 entriesThe fourth volume of the Berkshire Dictionary of Chinese Biography covers
the years 1979-2015, providing a riveting new way to understand
twenty-first-century China and a personal look at the changes that have taken
place since the Reform and Opening Up era started in 1979. One hundred key
individuals from this period were selected by an international group of experts,
and the stories were written by more than 70 authors in 14 countries. The
authors map the paths taken by these individuals-some rocky, some meandering,
some fateful-and in telling their stories give contemporary Chinese history a
human face. The editors have included – with the advice of myriad experts around
the world – not only the life stories of politicians and government officials,
who play a crucial role in the development of the country, but the stories of
cultural figures including film directors, activists, writers, and entrepreneurs
from the mainland China, Hong Kong, and also from Taiwan.The "Greater China" that comes through in this volume has diverse ideas and
identities. It is often contradictory, sometimes fractious, and always full of
creative human complexity. Some of the lives rendered here are heroic. Some are
tragic, and many are inspirational. Some figures come in for trenchant
criticism, and others are celebrated with a sense of wonder and awe. Like
previous volumes of the Berkshire Dictionary of Chinese Biography, this volume
includes a range of appendices, including a pronunciation guide, a bibliography,
and a timeline of key events.The work features a range of appendices, including a timeline of key events, a
pronunciation guide, a bibliography, lists of rulers and other prominent people,
and other supplemental materials for students of Chinese history and
culture.
Patterns of Agricultural Diversification in China and Its Policy Implications for Agricultural Modernization