This book surveys the complicated history of U.S.-Chinese relations. After two brief chapters providing historical context, the focus shifts to the mid-twentieth century, the wartime alliance, the war's bitter aftermath, and the decades since World War II, including the path from normalisation to China's hosting of the 2008 Summer Olympics. The author traces the ways in which the two countries have managed the blend of common and competitive interests in their economic and strategic relationships; the shifting political base for Sino-American relations within each country; the emergence and dissolution of rival political coalitions supporting and opposing the relationship; the evolution of each society's perceptions of the other; and ongoing differences regarding controversial topics like Taiwan and human rights.

This book surveys the complicated history of U.S.-Chinese relations. The author traces the ways in which the two countries have managed the blend of common and competitive interests in their economic and strategic relationships; the shifting political base for Sino-American relations within each country; the emergence and dissolution of rival political coalitions supporting and opposing the relationship; the evolution of each society's perceptions of the other; and ongoing differences regarding controversial topics like Taiwan and human rights.

Preface; Chapter 1 Historical Background; Chapter 2 The United States and China During World War II; Chapter 3 The Chinese Civil War; Chapter 4 The United States and China in Conflict; Chapter 5 China Policy During the Cold War; Chapter 6 A Dialogue Reestablished; Chapter 7 Nixon and Mao; Chapter 8 Deng Xiaoping and U.S.-China Relations; Chapter 9 U.S.-China Relations Flourish Under Reagan; Chapter 10 George H.W. Bush Responds to Tiananmen; Chapter 11 Bill Clinton and Jiang Zemin; Chapter 12 George W. Bush and Hu Jintao; Chapter 13 Sino-U.S. Relations and China’s Olympics Year; Chapter 14 The Obama Administration and China; Chapter 15 Conclusion;