Illustrated Biographies of Famous Figures in Modern China

Author: Xiong Zhiqi
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2002-04-01
Features: This is a collection of famous Chinese figures from the Opium War to the founding of the People's Republic of China (1840—1949) over 110 years, featuring approximately 600 historical personalities. This book has three main characteristics:
1. Comprehensive Data. There are already many picture collections of Chinese historical events and some thematic photo albums of famous individuals, but a complete collection of modern Chinese figures is extremely rare. The compilers of this book have painstakingly gathered materials from foreign-language books and periodicals of the Qing and Republican periods. They have meticulously selected photographs from these dusty and neglected publications, akin to searching for needles in a haystack. This required not only extraordinary effort but also sharp insight. As a result, this book, though not a monumental work, was the product of multiple compilers working tirelessly over several years. The figures included are primarily political figures, with supplementary representations from military, cultural, economic, and scientific fields. It can be said that nearly all the famous individuals in modern Chinese history are featured here. Many of these figures are even unknown to professional historians, as they have only heard their names but never seen their faces. Such a book, with its comprehensive and accurate data and complete photographs, is a rare reference for both historians and amateur enthusiasts, even serving as a tool for research.
2. Well-Organized Layout. The 110 years of modern history are divided into six parts: the late 19th century (1840—1900), the early 20th century (1901—1911), the early Republican period (1912—1920), the 1920s (1921—1930), the 1930s (1931—1940), and the 1940s (1941—1949). Except for the late 19th century, each period covers roughly a decade. This division allows for the inclusion of figures active in each era across various fields while also reflecting many major events in modern Chinese history. To facilitate reading and comparison, the compilers have grouped figures of the same type within each period. For example, the second section, "Constitutionalism and Revolution in the Early 20th Century," categorizes figures into eight groups: revolutionaries, constitutionalists, central figures of the Qing government, provincial governors, envoys, the Imperial Cabinet, provincial and departmental leaders during the 1911 Revolution, and scholars and celebrities. With this arrangement, the collection is clear in structure and well-organized, making it easy for readers to use.
3. Exquisite Production. Although the book uses old photographs, the printed results are excellent. In addition to being printed on copperplate paper throughout, the main reason is that it primarily uses original photographs of historical figures rather than those that have been repeatedly reproduced. It is particularly noteworthy that the book's cover design has been meticulously crafted. A single eye on the cover and page headers gazes piercingly yet carries a hint of melancholy, as if examining the merits and demerits of historical figures, or as if peering into the past to reveal the future. The design of each figure's photograph is also varied and distinctive, avoiding monotony. It not only reflects the logical progression of history but also highlights the characteristics of the individuals, which is truly remarkable.
Of course, this book is not without flaws. The lack of an index is a notable omission, making it inconvenient to search. However, these minor imperfections do not diminish its academic and historical value, which is significant. It will also ensure the book's enduring relevance.