My digital attempt was limited to preview on books.google.co.in, mainly introduction, but I was unable to push past the preface. On my second attempt, once again I found the style too verbose, somewhat florid, and the prospect of skimming over 700 pages of this type of verbal excess is looking daunting! I have now suspended my reading after skimming the first chapter.
I finally gave in and got the print version in Mar 2023, and could then read through to the end. Apparently I am not very effective with digital versions.
Finally managed to finish reading the print version by 2023 April 25. The writing gets more engaging after the middle, when it gets to modern times. But my problem with the general tone and tenor is its very impressionistic, almost petical, approach. Also, the author seems to focus on one element in the psychology of the Chinese civilization: the interposition of a single ruler as the sole spokesman with the higher power (God). As far as the Chinese themselves are concerned, the main feature coming through is their seeming irrationality and eccentricity, their apparent carelessness with human and other life (despite centuries of the moderating influence of Daoism and Buddhism). When the next period of chaos will turn up, the damage is likely to be unprecedented.
On the whole, the book could have been a lot more concise, as I would estimate half of it to be just unconnected verbiage (however poetic). The author should have some care for the welfare of the reader! ( )