"East Asia at the Center's expansive historical view puts the trials and advances of the past four millennia into perspective, showing that East Asia has often been preeminent on the world stage - and conjecturing that it might be so again in the not-so-distant future."--Jacket.

The emergence of an international system in East Asia -- Shadows over Tang splendor -- East Asia uncentered -- The Mongol ascendancy -- The resurgence of Chinese power and the coming of Islam -- Europe and Japan disrupt the East Asian international order -- The great Qing empire -- Triumph of the West -- The ascendance of Japan -- Challenge to the West -- War and decolonization, 1932-1949 -- The Cold War in East Asia -- The resurgence of East Asian economic power -- On the eve of the 21st century -- Closing thoughts.