Biography of Yuan Shikai (2 volumes)

Author: Liu Yijiang
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-06-01
Features: Tracing the historical development from a century of chaos, providing readers with a unique perspective on historical figures. Based on primary sources such as contemporary public and private documents and recollections of those involved, it vividly portrays the turbulent political landscape of late Qing and early Republican China, reconstructing the life trajectory of Yuan Shikai: in his youth, he was a lone hero, maneuvering skillfully in the East and engaging in intellectual and strategic battles with foreign powers, single-handedly supporting the; in middle age, he became the pillar of the Great Qing and a capable minister, inheriting Li Hongzhang's legacy and becoming the leader of the later reform movement; in his later years, his mind clouded by selfish desires, he proclaimed himself emperor, manipulated power, and ultimately became a rogue leader of the chaotic times. This transformation of events and the rise and fall of characters hold lessons and warnings for future generations. The author's purpose in sifting through historical materials is to restore Yuan Shikai, a figure often reduced to a caricature, to his true and believable historical life, offering a fair and objective evaluation of his merits and demerits. With a calm and straightforward approach, the book traces the twists and turns of China's social transformation during that era, enabling readers to draw valuable lessons and insights from the successes and failures of the past.