By the end of the first decade of the 21st century, China had become one of the great powers of the modern world. Economically, politically, and militarily, its power and international reach is only exceeded by the United States, the world's one remaining superpower. The period from the First Sino-Japanese War of 1894-95 through to the Communist victory in the Chinese Civil War ending in 1949 was one of near-constant conflict that saw China emerge as a fledgling new world power. Militarily at least, this is the defining period in Chinese history. In this new study, Philip Jowett traces the complicated military history of China during these pivotal years, describing in detail the conflicts that forge the modern superpower that is China today.

The sleeping dragon -- Brutal awakening, 1894-1911 -- Revolution, 1911-20 -- High warlordism, 1920-28 -- Undeclared conflict, 1928-37 -- Full-scale war, 1937-41 -- World war in the east, 1941-45 -- Red victory, 1946-49.