Late Qing Dynasty: A Series of Embarrassments

Author: Xue Bing (Compiler)
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-05-01
Features: Regarding the book title, the author has something to say: "" refers to the worldly scene related to foreigners; "" is used as a noun, similar to the segments in legends and operas; "" is merely a rough number. This book selects news about the lives of foreigners from Dian Shi Zhai Huabao, featuring illustrations and text, with meticulous writing. It aims to provide background material on historical events of the time and explain certain specific figures, objects, or terms, while also offering slight critiques when the artist's perspective is inappropriate. The book is rich in content, combining knowledge, history, and entertainment, opening a window for readers to understand that era and society. Represented by Dian Shi Zhai Huabao, late Qing-era illustrated newspapers have long been surpassed by later works; however, the emerging practice of reporting current events and disseminating new knowledge through illustrations and text, pioneered by them, remains vibrant to this day. The current published series includes four volumes: Late Qing Strange Cases in a Hundred Forms, Late Qing Foreigners in a Hundred Scenarios, Late Qing Officialdom in a Hundred States, and Late Qing Folk Customs in a Hundred Varieties. All volumes adopt illustrations from Dian Shi Zhai Huabao, record the text, add brief comments, and allow readers to appreciate them side by side. These "leisure books," with their juxtaposition of illustrations and text, mix the old and new, and blend formal and colloquial language, offering both interest and humor. Those with a keen eye can immerse themselves in contemplation, reading the "sweet, sour, bitter, and spicy" of history. This book is one volume in the series.