Street culture

Author: Wang Di
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-02-01
Features: This is a history of the lower classes. In this book, we can experience the richness of daily life and the fascinating street culture under microhistory, as well as witness the grand narrative of political, economic, and social upheavals in modern China. When the historical stage is always dominated by the hegemony of elite discourse, this book examines the experiences of ordinary people from the bottom of society, from the perspective of those who have left no mark in history, during reforms, revolutions, and social turmoil, expressing their lament and heavy conclusion that they lost an old world but did not gain a new one. From the author's meticulous analysis of the relationship between public spaces and daily life of the lower classes, it is evident that he is deeply concerned with their fate. The author peels away the layers of historical fog, allowing later generations to see how the lower classes gradually lost their living space and cultural traditions under the dazzling banners and melodious slogans, while also revealing how they fought for their destiny with "weapons of the weak."
This book, with its academic significance, originality, in-depth research, refined methodology, strong arguments, and major contributions to urban history research, was awarded the biennial "Best Book Award by the American Urban History Association" in 2005.
This book explores the daily life and popular culture of a traditional Chinese city during periods of social transformation and political turmoil, serving as a representative work on how national politics influenced the lives of ordinary people in a region. — The American Historical Review (United States)
This is an extremely in-depth study, accompanied by fascinating illustrations, which shows us the peddlers and craftsmen moving through the neighborhoods, the beggars and ruffians disturbing residents, religious rituals and entertainment, as well as the vibrant teahouses. It is an outstanding achievement of the new generation of young Chinese historians in the field of social history. — The China Quarterly (United Kingdom)
Over the next few years, this book will remain a model for the study of Chinese urban culture. — The China Political Science Review (United States)
Wang Di's work provides a valuable contribution, using a city as a starting point to make the transformation process from tradition to modernity clearer. — The Canadian Historical Review (Canada)
This book discusses the cooperation, struggle, and resistance among the state, elites, and the lower classes in the context of popular culture. With its publication, comparative studies of popular culture across regions in China and between China and other parts of the world have become possible. — The Journal of Interdisciplinary History (United States)
Author: Wang Di
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-02-01
Features: This is a history of the lower classes. In this book, we can experience the richness of daily life and the fascinating street culture under microhistory, as well as witness the grand narrative of political, economic, and social upheavals in modern China. When the historical stage is always dominated by the hegemony of elite discourse, this book examines the experiences of ordinary people from the bottom of society, from the perspective of those who have left no mark in history, during reforms, revolutions, and social turmoil, expressing their lament and heavy conclusion that they lost an old world but did not gain a new one. From the author's meticulous analysis of the relationship between public spaces and daily life of the lower classes, it is evident that he is deeply concerned with their fate. The author peels away the layers of historical fog, allowing later generations to see how the lower classes gradually lost their living space and cultural traditions under the dazzling banners and melodious slogans, while also revealing how they fought for their destiny with "weapons of the weak."
This book, with its academic significance, originality, in-depth research, refined methodology, strong arguments, and major contributions to urban history research, was awarded the biennial "Best Book Award by the American Urban History Association" in 2005.