‘Timothy Cheek offers a remarkably comprehensive and perceptive account of Chinese history in the post-Mao era.’Maurice Meisner, University of Wisconsin at Madison'This is a concise, systematic and illuminating introduction to the ways in which China as a complex nation-state works and is experienced by the Chinese during the tumultuous two and half decades of reform.'Adam Yuet Chau, University of London'Timothy Cheek provides readers with a lively introduction to the key dilemmas facing the world’s most populous country.'Jeffrey N. Wasserstrom, University of California'Thought-provoking and thoroughly-argued'.S. K. Ma, Choice