Top Biographies of Historical Figures in China

The best Historical China Biographies includes Genghis Khan: Architect of the Modern World, Wild Swans: Three Daughters of China, Emperor of the Seas: Kublai Khan and many others as mentioned below.

1

Genghis Khan: Architect of the Modern World

  • Explores Genghis Khan's influence on the modern world.
  • Reveals the rise of a vast Mongol Empire.
  • Highlights cultural communication and trade advancements.
  • Describes Genghis Khan's progressive policies and reforms.
  • Challenges traditional historical narratives about his legacy.
  • Examines the impact on global civilization development.
  • A compelling read for history enthusiasts and scholars.
  • Average Rating out of 5:
  • Price Range: $11.49
2

Wild Swans: Three Daughters of China

  • Explores three generations of women's experiences in China.
  • Bestselling classic with over ten million copies sold.
  • Combines memoir and historical eyewitness accounts.
  • Insight into Mao's impact on Chinese society.
  • Inspiring tale of courage and resilience.
  • New introduction from the author included.
  • Reflects on personal and collective struggles endured.
  • Average Rating out of 5:
  • Price Range: $12.99
3

Emperor of the Seas: Kublai Khan

  • Explores Kublai Khan's naval innovations and strategies.
  • Uncovers the transformation of China’s maritime power.
  • Written by Jack Weatherford, renowned historian.
  • Highlights Mongol culture and historical significance.
  • Shows impact on global commerce and trade.
  • A captivating narrative of dynastic rivalry.
  • Read by Mark Elstob for immersive experience.
  • Average Rating out of 5:
  • Price Range: $15.27
4

Falling Leaves: Memoir of a Chinese Daughter

  • Uplifting memoir of a Chinese woman's journey.
  • Explores themes of love and acceptance.
  • Details childhood experiences of emotional abuse.
  • Struggles against societal norms for women.
  • Documents migration from Hong Kong to the US.
  • Highlights resilience in challenging circumstances.
  • Authentic portrait of twentieth-century China.
  • Average Rating out of 5:
  • Price Range: $10.51
5

The Last Kings of Shanghai: Jewish Dynasties

  • Explores two rival Jewish dynasties' histories.
  • Reveals their impact on modern China.
  • Written by Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Jonathan Kaufman.
  • Tells stories of opium smuggling and family rivalry.
  • Highlights political intrigue and survival tactics.
  • Details over 175 years of influence in China.
  • Captivating narrative of ambition and historical significance.
  • Average Rating out of 5:
  • Price Range: $13.13
6

Last Boat Out of Shanghai: Untold Escape Stories

  • Heartfelt stories of young refugees from Shanghai.
  • Chronicles the 1949 Communist revolution's impact.
  • Interviews with exiles reveal personal journeys.
  • Explores resilience amid tumultuous historical events.
  • Authored by acclaimed journalist Helen Zia.
  • A poignant reflection on displacement and survival.
  • Connects past refugee experiences to contemporary issues.
  • Average Rating out of 5:
  • Price Range: $12.99
7

The Analects of Confucius: Philosophical Translation (Paperback)

  • New translation of Confucius' key teachings.
  • Informed by 1973 manuscript discovery.
  • First complete text with Chinese and English.
  • Offers fresh perspective on Confucian philosophy.
  • Essential for understanding Chinese cultural heritage.
  • Ideal for students and scholars alike.
  • Enhances debates on philosophical concepts.
  • Average Rating out of 5:
  • Price Range: $13.44
8

Uyghur Poet's Memoir: Waiting to Be Arrested

  • A powerful memoir of Uyghur persecution.
  • Winner of prestigious human rights writing awards.
  • Highlights China's brutal surveillance state.
  • A family's desperate escape from genocide.
  • Calls for international awareness and action.
  • Insightful perspective from a prominent Uyghur poet.
  • A tribute to silenced voices and lost friends.
  • Average Rating out of 5:
  • Price Range: $13.78
9

Mao: The Untold Story by Jung Chang

  • Authoritative biography of Mao Zedong.
  • Decade-long research with rare interviews.
  • Reveals Mao's intimate ties with Stalin.
  • Challenges myths of the Long March.
  • Uncovers Mao's strategic acceptance of Japanese occupation.
  • Details Mao's ruthless political maneuvers.
  • Explores the devastating death toll under his rule.
  • Average Rating out of 5:
  • Price Range: $12.78
10

Floating Life: Six Records (Penguin Classics)

  • Intimate memoir by Shen Fu, a civil servant.
  • Blends autobiography, love story, and social document.
  • Explores marriage to Yun, a beautiful artist.
  • Reflects on travels and life in Ch'ing Dynasty.
  • Offers insights into Chinese society and culture.
  • Part of Penguin Classics' renowned literature collection.
  • Authorized texts with scholarly introductions and notes.
  • Average Rating out of 5:
  • Price Range: $14.88
11

The Last Manchu: Henry Pu Yi Autobiography

  • Autobiography of Henry Pu Yi, last Chinese emperor.
  • Chronicles life in the Forbidden City.
  • Details turbulent years of Chinese history.
  • Explores themes of power and loss.
  • Unique perspective on loyalty and betrayal.
  • Engaging narrative of a complex life.
  • Essential reading for history enthusiasts.
  • Average Rating out of 5:
  • Price Range: $11.89
12

At the Edge of Empire: A Family's Reckoning with China

  • A compelling family memoir intertwined with Chinese history.
  • Explores a father's journey across 20th century China.
  • Investigates personal and national identity amidst turmoil.
  • Insights on modern China's political landscape and challenges.
  • Acclaimed by The Washington Post and The Atlantic.
  • Essential reading for understanding contemporary China.
  • A profound exploration of memory and belonging.
  • Average Rating out of 5:
  • Price Range: $18.50
13

Red Roulette: Secrets of Wealth and Corruption in China

  • Reveals hidden truths about China’s elite.
  • Features a gripping insider’s perspective.
  • Desmond Shum’s extraordinary journey from poverty to wealth.
  • Details Whitney Duan’s mysterious disappearance.
  • Highlights corruption within China’s power structures.
  • Acclaimed by major publications and authors.
  • A must-read for understanding modern China.
  • Average Rating out of 5:
  • Price Range: $13.12
14

Remembering Shanghai: Memoir of Society's Elite

  • Winner of 29 prestigious book awards.
  • True stories spanning five generations in Shanghai.
  • Explores glamour, drama, and tragedy in detail.
  • Follows the Sun family's rise to power.
  • Captures life during imperial rule and Cultural Revolution.
  • Illustrated and meticulously researched for authenticity.
  • A heartwarming journey of identity and redemption.
  • Average Rating out of 5:
  • Price Range: $18.55
15

Devil Soldier: American Fortune in China

  • Thrilling biography of Frederick Townsend Ward.
  • Explores America's role in the Taiping rebellion.
  • Captivating narrative style with rich historical detail.
  • Highly praised by critics and readers alike.
  • A tale of adventure and mercenary life.
  • Masterfully researched and engagingly presented.
  • Perfect for history enthusiasts and thriller lovers.
  • Average Rating out of 5:
  • Price Range: $19.00
16

Records of the Three Kingdoms: Book of Wu eBook

  • Chronicles the Three Kingdoms period's history.
  • Authored by historian Chen Shou of Jin Dynasty.
  • Comprises 20 volumes focused on Sun Wu kingdom.
  • Includes notable biographies of influential Wu figures.
  • Offers insights into political and social dynamics.
  • Features a concise and clear literary style.
  • Essential source for understanding Three Kingdoms era.
  • Price Range: $6.99
17

My Two Chinas: A Memoir of Counterrevolution (Paperback)

  • Memoir of a prominent Chinese dissident, Baiqiao Tang.
  • Chronicles Tiananmen Square massacre and aftermath experiences.
  • Details escape from China to America for freedom.
  • Highlights human rights struggles and pro-democracy efforts.
  • Compelling tale of resilience and courage in exile.
  • Inspires readers to advocate for human rights globally.
  • Unique insights into China’s political landscape and challenges.
  • Average Rating out of 5:
  • Price Range: $2.72
18

Mao: A Biography by Philip Short

  • Definitive biography of Mao Tse-Tung's life.
  • Explores Mao's rise during the Long March.
  • Details Mao's reign and political purges.
  • Analyzes the Cultural Revolution's impact on China.
  • Utilizes recently discovered secret documents.
  • Offers a nuanced understanding of Mao's legacy.
  • Essential reading for understanding contemporary China.
  • Average Rating out of 5:
  • Price Range: $4.44
19

Kissinger: A Biography by Walter Isaacson

  • Definitive biography of Henry Kissinger.
  • Written by bestselling author Walter Isaacson.
  • Explores Kissinger's complex personality and policies.
  • Includes extensive interviews and private papers.
  • Reveals surprising insights into his life.
  • Covers his rise from Nazi Germany to power.
  • Highlights his impact on global politics today.
  • Average Rating out of 5:
  • Price Range: $15.77
20

Pearl Buck in China: A Journey to The Good Earth

  • Pearl Buck: First American woman Nobel laureate.
  • Author of the bestselling novel The Good Earth.
  • Childhood in China shaped her unique perspective.
  • Witnessed China's historical revolutions and upheavals.
  • Advocated for cultural understanding between East and West.
  • Influenced later Chinese American writers profoundly.
  • Her works resonate in today's global conversations.
  • Average Rating out of 5:
  • Price Range: $10.68
21

Twilight in the Forbidden City [Hardcover]

  • Insightful account of the last Emperor's life.
  • Written by British official Reginald Fleming Johnston.
  • Documents the decline of the Ch'ing Dynasty.
  • Captures cultural nuances of early 20th century China.
  • Originally published in 1934, timeless historical narrative.
  • Unique perspective on a significant historical transition.
  • Perfect for history and culture enthusiasts alike.
  • Average Rating out of 5:
  • Price Range: $15.95
  • Material: 3 positive
22

Forbidden City: The Princess's Two-Year Journey

  • Classic biography by Princess Der Ling.
  • Insight into Chinese history and culture.
  • Authored by a notable Manchu princess.
  • Details life in the Forbidden City.
  • Unique perspective on Chinese imperial life.
  • Highlights significant historical events and figures.
  • Rich narrative with personal anecdotes.
  • Average Rating out of 5:
  • Price Range: $7.99
23

Colors of the Mountain: Da Chen Audiobook

  • Powerful memoir of growing up in rural China.
  • Explores life during Mao's Cultural Revolution.
  • Captivating story of friendship and resilience.
  • Engaging characters, from thugs to wise mentors.
  • Universal themes of family, humor, and adversity.
  • Richly detailed historical context and personal experiences.
  • Inspires readers with a message of hope.
  • Average Rating out of 5:
  • Price Range: $17.06
24

A Stone's Worth: Uyghur Exile and Resilience (Memoir)

  • Stunning memoir of Uyghur culture and survival.
  • Insights into life under Chinese rule.
  • Author Gulchehra Hoja's personal journey documented.
  • Award-winning investigations into Uyghur oppression.
  • Celebrates East Turkestan's rich heritage and community.
  • Named Best Book of 2023 by prestigious organizations.
  • Highlights the cost of speaking truth to power.
  • Average Rating out of 5:
  • Price Range: $15.99
25

Records of the Grand Historian (8 Treatises)

  • Explore ancient China's cultural and social systems.
  • Understand rituals, music, astronomy, and calendars.
  • Chronological presentation of significant historical events.
  • Comprehensive overview of ancient Chinese history.
  • Essential reference for historians and enthusiasts.
  • Insightful organization of important historical information.
  • Key resource for studying historical relationships.
  • Price Range: $4.99
26

Kublai Khan: Mongol Emperor of China

  • Learn about Kublai Khan's remarkable empire.
  • Explore his conquests in China and Southeast Asia.
  • Discover the legacy of Genghis Khan's grandson.
  • Concise nonfiction for quick learning in 60 minutes.
  • Engaging storytelling about a legendary ruler.
  • Accessible format for busy readers and learners.
  • Uncover history at your own pace.
  • Average Rating out of 5:
  • Price Range: $6.08
27

Falling Leaves: The Journey of a Daughter

  • 25th Anniversary Edition of a powerful memoir
  • Set against the backdrop of 1940s Shanghai
  • Story of survival amidst family rejection and war
  • Rich with emotional depth and resilience
  • Explores complex family dynamics and acceptance
  • Critically acclaimed by prominent literary figures
  • A journey of self-discovery and healing
  • Average Rating out of 5:
  • Price Range: $9.07
28

Stilwell and America in China 1911-1945

  • Pulitzer Prize-winning historical narrative by Tuchman.
  • Explores Stilwell’s life in modern China.
  • Insightful look at U.S.-China relations.
  • Captivating biography of General Joseph W. Stilwell.
  • Vivid accounts of warlords and diplomats.
  • Brilliant storytelling with rich historical context.
  • Engaging and educational for history enthusiasts.
  • Average Rating out of 5:
  • Price Range: $16.99
29

How to Be an Emperor: Muzong of Tang

  • Discover the reign of Emperor Muzong of Tang.
  • Explore passive leadership and its consequences.
  • Enjoy rich historical insights with sharp humor.
  • Uncover court intrigues and lavish banquets.
  • Learn about the dynamics of power in silence.
  • Perfect for history enthusiasts and leadership skeptics.
  • Find humor in the absurdities of governance.
  • Price Range: $2.99
30

How to be an Emperor: Lessons from Jing & Wu Zong

  • Darkly humorous exploration of imperial power struggles.
  • Tales of two emperors with disastrous outcomes.
  • Insightful commentary on historical leadership challenges.
  • Blends history with satirical modern relevance.
  • Perfect for history lovers and power enthusiasts.
  • Reveals absurdities of court life and politics.
  • Power is easy to inherit; survival is challenging.
  • Price Range: $2.99