Written in 1966, McAleavy's work does not appear to have suffered from age (although it demonstrates the peril of calling a book a "modern" history!). Writing in lively prose, with occassional editorial comments, McAleavy traces the political history of China from the 1840s through the early 1960s. Coverage of periods and topics is sometimes sporadic, with the overview of early Communist China feeling particularly rushed and dry. There is also a tendency to assume facts not generally known. For example, in the discussion of the Boxer rebellion McAleavy writes, "In the summer of 1900 there occurred the great slaughter of the innocent which has left so foul a stain on the reputation of the country." What slaughter, where it took place, and how many were killed are never discussed.

Those criticisms aside, there is much here that is often forgotten today, including how corrupt and often brutal Chiang Kai-shek's reign was, or atrocities committed by the European powers in response to the Boxer revolt. It is also full of colorful personalities, including the "Pig-tailed General" and the blustering American General Stilwell. Worth picking up if you can find it.