Description
Book SynopsisDiscover the stories of 100 women and men whose activities in the 19th century laid the foundations of modern China. Through telling the lives of one hundred significant individuals, this book explores how China transformed from dynastic empire to modern republican nation during the period 1796 to 1912. Both famous and surprisingly little-known women and men are brought together in eight thematic sections that bring to life the complexities of Chinaâs path to modernity. Featured figures include the Dowager Empress Cixi, the power behind the throne of the Qing dynasty for fifty years; Yu Rongling, the aristocratic daughter of a Qing diplomat who trained in Paris with Isadora Duncan and is now seen as one of the founders of modern dance in China; Shi Yang, the most powerful woman pirate in the world, celebrated in popular culture as a female icon; the Manchu-Chinese Duanfang, a lynchpin of late Qing government and an avid collector of international art, murdered by his own troops i
Trade Review'Engagingly written and beautifully illustrated … Like being invited to a huge party full of interesting (if sometimes unpleasant or even dangerous) people from all walks of life. Indeed, this is a retrospective panorama of a fascinating period in Chinese history, packed with information and providing an entrance into a forgotten world. Harrison-Hall and Lovell have shone a bright light on a neglected area of Chinese (and world) history, and for that the highest praise is due' - Asian Review of Books
Table of ContentsIntroduction by Jessica Harrison-Hall and Julia Lovell
1. The Court – Emperors, Empresses, Eunuchs, Courtiers and Entertainers Jessica Harrison-Hall
2. Religious Figures - Daoists, Buddhists, Muslims, and Christians Julia Lovell
3. Militarists - Soldiers, Martyrs, Mercenaries and Pirates Julia Lovell
4. Artists – Calligraphers, Epigraphers, Painters, Illustrators and Photographers Jessica Harrison-Hall
5. Observers - Writers, Poets, Translators and Travellers Julia Lovell
6. Business People - Commodity Traders, Financiers, Entrepreneurs and Media Tycoons Jessica Harrison-Hall
7. Statesmen - Campaigners, Reformers, Diplomats and Philosophers Julia Lovell
8. Makers - Craftspeople, Folklorists and Scientists Jessica Harrison-Hall
