{"product_id":"asia-past-and-present-a-brief-history-9781118955185","title":"Asia Past and Present: A Brief History","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eA wide-ranging introduction to the multi-faceted history of Asia--from early origins to the present\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003eAsia Past and Present \u003c\/i\u003eis an expansive survey of the social, political, and economic history of the continent from the Paleolithic era to the early 21\u003csup\u003est\u003c\/sup\u003e century. As there is no physically discrete continent, rather an arbitrary division of the Eurasian landmass, this book focuses on terrain that encompasses India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Central Asia, China, Korea, Japan, Mongolia, the Russian Far East, and Southeast Asia--the area which most modern scholars identify as Asia.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eOffering broad chronological and topical coverage of Asia, this book examines subjects including written languages, religions and philosophies, concepts of monarchy, militarism, independence and nation building, and more. Particular focus is placed on the varying levels of influence the core cultures of India and China have had on the continent in a multitude of socio-political areas. Historical dialogues of how colonies, later emerging nations, blended traditional Asian culture and Western political and economic models of modernization complement contemporary discussions of globalization, nuclear tensions, and growing demands for greater individual freedom. Written in an engaging, accessible style, this book: \u003c\/p\u003e \u003cul\u003e \u003cli\u003eCovers of a wide range of topics, perspectives, geographic regions, and time periods\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003eHighlights India and China as the pre 19\u003csup\u003eth\u003c\/sup\u003e century cultural cores of Asia\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003ePresents a relatable political-cultural narrative framework\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003eDiscusses contemporary themes including gender, sexual orientation, the environment, and Western and Islamic influence on Asian culture\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003eIncludes coverage of commonly underrepresented regions such as the Himalayan nations, Maldives, and New Guinea\u003c\/li\u003e \u003c\/ul\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003eAsia Past and Present: A Brief History \u003c\/i\u003eis a valuable resource for undergraduate courses where Asian cultures are introduced, and in courses on Asian politics, diplomacy, environmental issues, and socio-economics.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAbout the Author\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003ePETER P. WAN\u003c\/b\u003e, \u003cb\u003ePHD, \u003c\/b\u003e was Full Professor of American Language and Literature at East China Normal University, Shanghai, and visiting scholar at Harvard University. Now retired, he is a three-time recipient of the Fulbright Fellowship and author of \u003ci\u003eWorld History: A Concise Thematic Arrangement\u003c\/i\u003e. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eTHOMAS D. REINS, PHD, \u003c\/b\u003e is a Lecturer in the Department of History at Chapman University, California, USA. He has written numerous articles, book chapters, encyclopedia entries, and reviews in publications including \u003ci\u003eModern Asia Studies, \u003c\/i\u003e \u003ci\u003eChina Review International\u003c\/i\u003e and \u003ci\u003eJournal of Asian Studies\u003c\/i\u003e. He is currently working on a book dealing with the consequences of the modernization of Asia, \u003ci\u003eTransforming Asia.\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Wiley-Blackwell","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":50332474900754,"sku":"9781118955185","price":47.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0831\/4771\/8930\/files\/img_4770393f-9978-4d7c-ad05-b0f9b997c621.jpg?v=1727838310","url":"https:\/\/surprise-castle.myshopify.com\/products\/asia-past-and-present-a-brief-history-9781118955185","provider":"Surprise Castle","version":"1.0","type":"link"}