In response to the OP about reading, and not the history in particular, it really comes down to you and the author. Some authors/books are just dry as hell, and although chocked full of information, are better used for reference on a chapter by chapter basis than taken as a whole book. For example, China Marches West, where I found the chapters (or basically the first half of the book) discussing the campaigns and machinations of the Qing dynasty in Zungharia infinitely more interesting and readable than the second half of the book, which dealt with the economics of the frontier. And although how the Qing settled the frontier is somewhat an interesting topic, the author dealt with it in a way which was just too detail heavy and dry to really get across the interesting ideas.
But really, its up to you and what you find interesting. For some people, who enjoy economics, that second half may have been a delight while the boring political contextualization of the frontier situation in the first half was a slog to get through. You just need to sample the water, and find the books/authors/topics that can keep your interest. Not everything will work for you.
But really, its up to you and what you find interesting. For some people, who enjoy economics, that second half may have been a delight while the boring political contextualization of the frontier situation in the first half was a slog to get through. You just need to sample the water, and find the books/authors/topics that can keep your interest. Not everything will work for you.