From the long march, through guerrilla war with the Japanese, to the victory against the Nationalist forces, the story of the PLA is the story of the founding of the People's Republic of China. Written by Chinese military experts, The Chinese People's Liberation Army provides a complete, authoritative inside story of the army of the People's Republic of China and includes sections on the organization of the PLA, the equipment currently in use and peacetime missions undertaken by the PLA.

1. The long march: a soul-stirring epic -- 2. Guerrilla warfare: a symphony of wisdom and courage -- 3. The wonder of Chinese civil war -- 4. Building a regular and modern army -- 5. Disarmament and transformation of the PLA -- 6. Establishment of the PLA field army -- 7. The main armaments of the PLA -- 8. The forever tradition - to serve the people -- 9. A force for peace -- Epilogue: an army of the people, for the people.