Entering the Qing Court Career in China (Hart's Diary 1854-1863)

Author: [British] Hardie, translated by Fu Zengren et al.
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2003-01-01
Features: As a pivotal political and historical figure, Hardie's life is also quite legendary. This book collects all of Hardie's diaries written between 1854, when he first set foot in China, and 1863, when he was appointed as the Imperial Maritime Customs Service Commissioner (excluding parts destroyed for personal reasons), accompanied by annotations. It also includes special chapters evaluating Hardie's background, the social conditions of China at the time, his interactions with officials at all levels of the Qing government, and the gradual development of his career. This approach presents Hardie's life journey through both subjective and objective threads, not only outlining the complex psychological development of an extraordinary individual and the profound cultural conflicts and exchanges embedded within it, but also revealing the various intricate social realities and struggles of China at that time.