Most writing on modern China dwells on those aspects which are new to China since the Communist takeover, stressing above all politics, Marxism, economic and agricultural development. First published in 1985, Modern China argues that all this writing creates a false impression of what present-day China is really like.

I. W. Mabbett is a historian and educator. His research interests include ancient Indian history, Buddhist philosophy and history, and the comparative study of Asian religions.