Rana Mitter is a well-known historian and professor at the University of Oxford who specializes in modern Chinese history. His works primarily focus on the intersection of China’s history and its broader context in global events. Although Mitter’s academic contributions are centered around China, his work also draws attention to significant themes in world history. His comprehensive exploration of global history helps contextualize China’s place in the broader narrative of the 20th century and the modern world.

One of Mitter’s notable works, A Bitter Revolution: China's Struggle with the Modern World, explores the various cultural, political, and social upheavals that China underwent as it interacted with the modern world. This work offers a profound understanding of the challenges China faced in adapting to Western ideologies and technological advancements while maintaining its identity. It provides insight into the impact of global events, such as imperialism, the rise of communism, and World War II, on China’s development and transformation.

In China's War with Japan, 1937-1945: The Struggle for Survival, Mitter examines the crucial period of the Second Sino-Japanese War, offering a global perspective on this conflict. Rather than treating the war as a local event, he places it within the broader scope of World War II and global geopolitics, emphasizing the significant role it played in shaping China's modern history. His analysis also demonstrates how China’s resistance to Japan became a pivotal moment in the eventual outcome of the war. shutdown123