An in-depth analysis of the Chinese Armies that fought a series of
increasingly fractious wars over nearly a century, this history begins
with a run-through of the Chinese forces that combated the British and
French during the two Opium Wars. It goes on to trace the forces who
were drawn into internal wars and rebellions in the 1850s and 60s, the
open warfare in North Vietnam, the string of defeats suffered during the
First Sino-Japanese War, and the Boxer Rebellion.
Providing an unparalleled insight into the dizzying array of troop types
and unique uniforms, this is a history of the sometimes painful
modernization of China's military forces during one of her most
turbulent periods in history.