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Title: The Last Emperors: A Social History of Qing Imperial Institutions by Evelyn S. Rawski ISBN: 0-520-22837-5 Publisher: University of California Press Pub. Date: 05 February, 2001 Format: Paperback Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $19.95 |
Average Customer Rating: 4.8 (5 reviews)
Rating: 5
Summary: Manchu Wonderland
Comment: Haven't finished reading the book but I found it to be very ineresting and worth my time. It takes an in-depth look at the Manchu imperial family, something that is oftentimes glossed over or ignored in history classes.
When Evelyn Rawski wrote about the Forbidden City- literally and figuratively, it is forbidden to outsiders- a real wonderland populated with characters that might eerily remind one of Alice's adventures in wonderland.
Rating: 4
Summary: Solid well written social history
Comment: In this work Dr. Rawski argues convincingly for her side of the sinicization debate regarding the Manchu conquest dynasty, the Qing (1644-1911). For those of you who are new to the field of modern Chinese history you may be interested in reading the articles of Rawski and Ho Ping-ti (He Pingdi) found in the Journal of Asian Studies, published in the mid-90's. The debate that was started by those articles is still of great importance to modern Chinese history, and it seems that although Rawski and others have presented a very strong case no one as of yet has been victorious. Many scholars still hold the views of Ho Ping-ti (or some version there of). Although, I suspect that over time Rawski's views will triumph. The argument, simply stated, is the question - to what extent where the "conquest dynasties," especially the Qing (Manchu) Dynasty, sinicized? In the past, scholars (perhaps dominated by the sino-centric Chinese interpretation) have agreed that foreign powers who dominated the Chinese empire forsook their own cultures in favor of a Chinese identity. This included the adoption of the Confucian civil service tradition as well as the Chinese language and many other Chinese cultural traits and behavior patterns. In recent years however, scholars have given evidence to support a very different view of dynasties like the Qing. A certain level of sinicization is undeniable, and no one challenges the fact that the Manchu banner-elite adopted a very Chinese approach to governance and cultural issues, however they also held on tightly to their own culture and went to great efforts to distinguish themselves from the Han Chinese as a ruling elite. The Manchu language, which many scholars had previously considered irrelevant (when studying modern Chinese history) has here become increasingly important. Rawski goes to great lengths to demonstrate the ways in which the ruling elite of China did not adopt 'Chinese' cultural practices but instead tried to be all things to all people. For the Tibetans and the Mongols they adopted the identity of a ruling clergy of Tibetan Buddhism, for the Chinese they adopted the Confucian model of governance, and for the Manchus they held on to various animistic traditions of sacrifice and deity worship.
This book is well written, except for a few minor stylistically uncomfortable passages, and really proves her point. Unfortunately, it does drag on a bit at times. Rawski gives an extremely detailed account of life in the upper echelons of Qing society focusing on the imperial household. There is a large body of work here and it will take several readings to truly imbibe all this book has to offer.
If you are looking to deepen your knowledge of the field I recommend "Manchus & Han: Ethnic Relations and Political Power in Late Qing and Early Republican China, 1861-1928 " by Edward Rhoads. It is a bit shorter and focuses on the ethnic and political divides between the ruling elite and the Han Chinese.
Rating: 5
Summary: An excellent synopsis on the Qing Dynasty
Comment: This book beautifully describes the social fabric of life during the Qing Dynasty. As the author claims, she was privy to previously undisclosed Imperial records and has unearthed new insights into Qing customs.
I was introduced to this book after reading Jonathan Spence's "Treason by the book". Mr Spence, perhaps the foremost sinologist writing in a Western vein, has himself praised this book for its fount of new information on the Qing period.
I couldn't agree more and can also add that it is highly readable.
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Title: A Translucent Mirror: History and Identity in Qing Imperial Ideology (Joseph Levenson Book Prize for Pre-twentieth-century China, Association of Asian Studies S.) by Pamela Kyle Crossley ISBN: 0520234243 Publisher: University of California Press Pub. Date: 01 September, 2001 List Price(USD): $22.50 |
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Title: The Manchus (The Peoples of Asia) by Pamela Kyle Crossley ISBN: 0631235914 Publisher: Blackwell Publishers Pub. Date: 01 May, 2002 List Price(USD): $26.95 |
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Title: Saving the World: Chen Hongmou and Elite Consciousness in Eighteenth-Century China by William T. Rowe ISBN: 0804748187 Publisher: Stanford University Press Pub. Date: 01 January, 2001 List Price(USD): $29.95 |
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Title: Cherishing Men from Afar: Qing Guest Ritual and the Macartney Embassy of 1793 by James Louis Hevia ISBN: 0822316374 Publisher: Duke University Press Pub. Date: 01 August, 1995 List Price(USD): $21.95 |
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Title: The Manchu Way: The Eight Banners and Ethnic Identity in Late Imperial China by Mark C. Elliott ISBN: 0804746842 Publisher: Stanford University Press Pub. Date: 01 July, 2001 List Price(USD): $29.95 |
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