In producing a book on China as a linguistic area, the ideal is a comprehensive and accurate account that places China's linguistic diversity in a meaningful historical, geographical, and social context. Ramsey has succeeded admirably in achieving this end. -- Jerome L. Packard The Journal of Asian Studies ... a unique and brilliant work... Ramsey integrates nearly all of the gains of modern research on the Chinese language and skillfully presents the results in a concise, interesting, and comprehensible manner. -- Charles N. Li American Anthropologist ... I find The Languages of China a pleasure in virtually all respects. It is extremely easy to read, full of useful information, and beautifully produced. -- Victor H. Mair Pacific Affairs [This] is a volume that provides a feeling of depth while still being accessible to the general reader: I recommend it to anyone at all interested in Chinese history or comparative linguistics. Danny Reviews
