Written by top scholars in the field, EAST ASIA: A CULTURAL, SOCIAL, AND POLITICAL HISTORY, 3E delivers a comprehensive cultural, political, economic, and intellectual history of East Asia, while focusing on the narratives and histories of China, Japan, and Korea in a larger, global context. Full color inserts on such topics as food, clothing, and art objects illustrate the rich artistic heritage of East Asia. A range of primary source documents spotlights women's independence, students-turned-soldiers, and other stirring issues, while intriguing biographical sketches throughout highlight the lives of popular figures and ordinary people alike.

PART I: THE FOUNDATIONS OF EAST ASIAN CIVILIZATION IN CHINA. Connections: The Prehistory of East Asia. 1. China in the Bronze Age: The Shang and Western Zhou Dynasties (ca 1500-771 B.C.E.). 2. Philosophers and Warring States During the Eastern Zhou Period (770-256 B.C.E.). 3. The Founding of the Bureaucratic Empire: Qin-Han China (256 B.C.E.-200 C.E.). Connections: Buddhism. 4. Political Division in China and the Spread of Buddhism (200-580). 5. The Cosmopolitan Empires of Sui and Tang China (581-960). Connections: Cultural Contract Across Eurasia (600-900). PART II: THE EMERGENCE OF EAST ASIAN CIVILIZATION. 6. Early Korea to 935. Making Comparisons: Languages and Writing Systems. 7. Early State and Society in Japan (to 794). 8. China Among Equals: Song, Liao, Xia, and Jin (907-1279). 9. Heian Japan (794-ca. 1180). Connections: The Mongols. 10. Goryeo Korea (935-1392). Making Comparisons: Monarchical Institutions. 11. Kamakura Japan (1180-1333). 12. China Under Mongol Rule (1215-1368). Making Comparisons: Food Cultures. PART III: MEETING NEW CHALLENGES (1300-1800). 13. Japan's Middle Ages (1330-1600). 14. The Ming Empire in China (1368-1644). 15. Joseon Korea (1392-1800). Making Comparisons: Women's Situations. Connections: Europe Enters the Scene. 16. The Creation of the Manchu Empire (1600-1800). 17. Edo Japan (1603-1800). Making Comparisons: Neo-Confucianism. PART IV: THE AGE OF WESTERN IMPERIALISM (1800-1900). Connections: Western Imperialism (1800-1900). 18. China in Decline (1800-1900). 19. Japan in Turmoil (1800-1867). 20. Meiji Transformation (1868-1900). 21. Korea in the Turbulent Nineteenth Century (1800-1895). Making Comparisons: Slavery. PART V: EAST ASIA IN THE MODERN WORLD. 22. Rise of Modern Japan (1900-1931). 23. Modernizing Korea and Colonial Rule (1896-1945). 24. Remaking China (1900-1927). Connections: World War II. 25. War and Revolution, China (1927-1949). PART VI: INTENSIFIED CONTACT AND DIVERGENT PATHS. 26. War and Aftermath in Japan (1931-1964). 27. China Under Mao (1949-1976). 28. Korea (1945 to the Present). 29. Contemporary Japan (1965 to the Present). Making Comparisons: Popular Religion. 30. China Since Mao (1976 to the Present). Connections: East Asia in the Twenty-First Century.