For the Chinese the drive toward growing political and economic power is part of an ongoing effort to restore Chinaamp39s past greatness and remove the lingering memories of historyamp39s humiliations. This widely praised book explores the 1500ampndash1800 period before Chinaamp39s decline when the country was viewed as a leading world culture and power. D. E. Mungello argues that this earlier era ironically may contain more relevance for today than the more recent past. This fully revised fourth edition retains the clear and concise quality of its predecessors while drawing on a wealth of new research on SinoWestern history and the increasing contributions of Chinese historians. Building on the authoramp39s decades of research and teaching this compelling book illustrates the vital importance of history to readers trying to understand Chinaamprsquos renewed rise.