Few would argue with the proposition that China is a force to be reckoned with. Boasting the world’s largest population and giving rise to one of its oldest civilizations, this nation has proved to be a formidable foe during wartime, much to the dismay of United States General Douglas MacArthur and the United Nations forces he commanded during the Korean Conflict. That alone makes this title a welcome addition to the reference literature on Asian military history, more so due to the absence of any similar material, although a number of narrative works on this topic are in print.

Four plus millennia of raids, revolutions, and rebellions are a lot to squeeze between two covers, but editor Li has done a commendable job of presenting the most compelling and significant “people, events, ideas, battles, and technologies in Chinese military history” (xvii). Coverage is necessarily broad based, with entries ranging from ancient times (“Great Wall,” “Gunpowder”) to the latest military technology (“Nuclear Program”). Interestingly, the scope here encompasses more than the purely martial, as literature (The Art of War by Sun Tzu), foreign relations (Uncle Sam’s open door policy), social history (“Silk Road,” individual dynasties) and geography (“Hong Kong”) make appearances within these pages. Their inclusion is appropriate, as nothing occurs within a vacuum; these entries demonstrate that many disparate factors can, and do, influence the development of a nation’s armed forces. All told, some 250 signed and cross-referenced articles are present, each concluding with a short bibliography of print works for further research. It should be noted at this point that emphasis is on land warfare; coverage of aerial combat is minimal and naval developments nonexistent.

Special features include an introductory essay, written by the editor, that gives the reader a bird’s-eye view of China’s military history. An appendix lists “Chinese Dynasties and Governments,” while a Chronology presents a timeline of major battles and important developments of this country’s armed forces. Lastly, a glossary of military terms/abbreviations and a bibliography of pertinent literature round out the volume.

Xiaobing Li was an apt choice for helming a project such as this. Currently a professor and Chair of the Department of History and Geography at the University of Central Oklahoma, he also holds the Directorship of the Western Pacific Institute, likewise at UCO. Additionally, Li has been widely published in his field, A History of the Modern Chinese Army (University Press of Kentucky, 2007) being a representative title. His experiences while serving in the People’s Liberation Army in China lend a personal perspective to his scholarship. The “Contributor’s List” reveals that the authors all have solid academic and/or scholarly credentials.

Well researched, clearly written, and presenting a unique topic, this work is strongly recommended for purchase by larger public libraries and academic institutions supporting geography or history curricula, as well as China or Asia studies.