A Short History of Asia : Stone Age to 2000 Ad

Designed to be readable above all else to those without prior knowledge of the subject, A Short History of Asia presents a gripping and comprehensive account of civilizations that had credit banking, mass production industries, and whole libraries of printed books while Europe was still primitive. It stresses in particular the pre-colonial period, and takes a critical look at imperialism. Its chapters on the modern states are enlivened by the personal experience of the author, who has lived and worked in almost all of them. The book identifies Asian traditions which influence the modern states profoundly.