Author Description

Review A splendid contribution to our understanding of that part of the Chinese Revolution between the defeat of Japan and the proclamation of the People's Republic of China. We are not likely to have a better account of the politics of a major turning point in history than this one. (American Political Science Review) This superb piece of scholarship is the definitive account of the political conflict between the Nationalists and the Communists during China's war of 1945—1949. It is a most important addition to our knowledge of the history of modern China and will be required reading in any course on that subject. (Journal Of Asian Studies) A major contribution.... Pepper develops a balanced and intelligent analysis of the reasons behind Koumingtang failure and communist success. Not content with a monocasual explanation of the outcome, she compares the two parties to the Civil War along a variety of dimensions: relations with students and intellectuals, land reform measures, industrial management, fiscal measures and the like. Her discussion combines a careful analysis of policy documents with a comparative examination of actual policy implementation and impact. The result is the first comprehensive and convincing account of the Civil War period. It is required reading of anyone seeking the roots of the historic Chinese Communist victory in 1949. (Choice) Twenty years after its original publication, Civil War in China remains the definitive work on the five-year conflict between the Guomindang and the Communist Party to win control of China. Pepper's painstakingly researched and well-balanced accounthas become the standard textbook for students of the civil war, political conflict, and state-building. Her analysis of the weaknesses that led the Nationalists to defeat and the strengths that propelled the Communists to power have stood the test of time and remains as relevant today as it was when originally published in 1978. A