China's century of change

In dusty archives and photography studios all over China lies a hidden record of the country and its turbulent times throughout the 20th century.

Now, after two years' painstaking research tracking down historical pictures and photographers whose work cannot be shown in the mainland, leading China historian Jonathan Spence and his wife Annping Chin have created from such images a revealing account of the Chinese people and the immense changes they have witnessed.

Many of the photographs have not been seen for decades or not been published outside China before.

The husband and wife team were invited by the Endeavour Group in Britain to write and source photographs for The Chinese Century, following on from the success of the group's previous title, The Russian Century. The new book is already being translated into nine languages.

Most of the picture research was undertaken by Ms Chin, with the help of Mr Spence and the London-based Endeavour Group. To complete the story, Mr Spence, professor of history at Yale University, has provided text, both extensive and authoritative. 'All the archives house very rare photographs that have never been published,' Ms Chin said.

The couple had many thousands of images to choose from. 'What was important to me was that the book had to reflect China all through this century - not just the violence and turmoil, but the strength of the Chinese, the humour, and how they get through their lives and find pleasure,' she said.