Chang, Gordon H. "Fateful Ties: A History of America’s Preoccupation with China"

America has maintained a connection with China from the birth of the United States, instigated in part by a tax on Chinese tea.This connection continues to the modern day, with both investment in and a fascination with Chinese economic growth. Chang (history, director of Ctr. of East
Asian Studies, Stanford Univ.; Friends and Enemies) recounts the history of America’s relationship with China by looking at its political and human impacts. The author chronicles the activities and opinions of numerous Chinese leaders and missionaries, as well as American policymakers, to follow the progression of Sino-American relations throughout the 20th century. The book explores a full range of experiences and opinions while providing a rich body of citations
that, while not ideal for the casual reader, are a bonus for researchers. Whether discussing mutually beneficial trade and discourse or souring relations leading to conflict, Chang argues that ties between the two countries are not predestined but that the futures of both nations are nonetheless deeply intertwined. VERDICT A valuable resource for academics and those seeking in-depth knowledge on the historical relationship between the United States and China