Introduction : The "world-class" university -- The university in Germany : a historical introduction -- The modern original : the University of Berlin -- Truth, justice, and freedom in a Cold War world : the Free University of Berlin -- The rise and challenges of American research universities -- Rising through change and through storm : Harvard University -- Public mission, private funding : the University of California, Berkeley -- Outrageous ambitions : Duke University -- A Chinese century? The revival and rise of Chinese universities -- From preparatory academy to national flagship : Tsinghua University -- The burden of history : Nanjing university -- Asia's global university? The University of Hong Kong -- Conclusion : lessons and prospects.