摘要
Elisabeth Roll’s book is so far the most comprehensive survey of China’s railroad history,especially on the development of the Jin-Pu(Tianjin-Pukou)Line.The author successfully summarizes the earlier studies on China’s efforts toward modernization,with its railroads as the most symbolic example.The book also covers the whole era of China’s moving into the contemporary times,from the very beginning when the country was forced open by Western Powers in the 19th century till the 21st century.The detailed studies relying on primary sources and in-depth discussions on how China’s railroads as institutions with wide social,economic,cultural,and political functions make this book the most reliable reference for anyone who is interested in understanding China in the modem times.
