China is the most populous country on earth, with the longest history of any modern nation. In the 21st century, it is clear that Chinas future, as a political & economic world power, is set to be as significant as its past, & its achievements still depend upon its people. This book tells the story of China through 96 short biographies. We see the range of Chinese cultural & scientific achievements, as well as its military conquests, wars, rebellions & political & philosophical movements, through the eyes of real people who created or were caught up by them. Here is a colourful array of very different men & women: emperors & empresses, concubines, officials & political figures, rebels, exiles, philosophers, writers & poets, artists, musicians, scientists, military leaders & committed pacifists. Their careers, achievements, misdeeds, disasters, punishments, ideas & love stories make this an unforgettable read. The expert authors have drawn on a huge range of sources to assemble information about the widest possible range of individuals from all periods & parts of China, from an early warrior lady of the 13th century bc, Fu Hao, to the late-20th-century Communist leader Deng Xiaoping.