This is the first book I have come across which discusses the part played by China in the Great War. Of the many (200+) books I have read on WWI, there have only been brief mentions dealing with the participation of China. Most of these only mention that China sent laborers to the Western Front to help with construction. That is it! The work of Mr. Xu is very readable, thought provoking and apparently well researched. He provides a great deal of info on the internal situation of China as well as how the external world (particularly Japan) affected their approach to WWI. China yearned to become a part of the world stage, to develop its own identity, and to be released from the the unjust treaties forced upon her by the Great Powers of the age (e.g. Britian, Germany, France, Austria and mainly Japan). The book follows the progress of China as they try various avenues to achieve their national and international goals.

More I will not say. I think this is a great book on the subject of China and the Great War. It also has insights into the Paris Peace Conference in 1919. Well worth reading. You will not be disappointed in this new look into the diplomatic maneuvering and politics of WWI. ( )