Modern Chinese History (Century Library)

Author: Jiang Tingfu
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-04-01
Features: This book defines "Modern Chinese History" as "the history of modernization in China," making the question of whether China could modernize and how it could modernize the main theme of the book. It examines three modernization schemes: the Self-Strengthening Movement led by Prince Gong Yixun, Zeng Guofan, and Li Hongzhang as the first modernization plan; the Reform Movement led by Kang Youwei as the second modernization plan; and the Boxer Movement, or "Boxer Rebellion," as the third modernization plan. All these schemes ultimately failed. The book then proposes its own viewpoint: "Modernization of national defense not only requires modern transportation, education, and economy but also necessitates modernized politics and citizens. Half-modernized, half-old approaches are ineffective. In other words, for China to survive in the modern era, it must fully adopt Western culture." The academic tradition pioneered by this book was once the mainstream framework for the study of Modern Chinese History. However, after the emergence of Modern Chinese History research by Fan Wenlan, Hu Sheng, and others, this framework was completely replaced by the so-called "new academic tradition" that imposed ideological demands on the study of Modern Chinese History. In the old Chinese academic circles, more than half of the writings on Modern China and its foreign relations were "inherently" Jiang Tingfu's historical perspectives. This book is known as "a small but renowned historical work," "highly academically rigorous," "well-established in the field of history," "one of the most influential works on Modern Chinese History," "a timeless classic," "the apex of a pyramid of great historical works," "every word a gem, leaving one in awe," "still a classic in Modern Chinese History to this day," "a masterpiece of history," "the foundational work of Modern Chinese History," "superior to most later works of a similar nature," "pioneering in its approach," "broad in perspective and uniquely innovative," "not mere technical skill but grand craftsmanship," "representing the academic excellence of an era," "a groundbreaking contribution to the study of Modern History," "a small book with a grand history," "condensing ten years of research," and "a weighty historical work." This book not only established Jiang Tingfu's academic reputation in the field of Modern History but also reflects his unique understanding of Chinese culture and China's future destiny as a scholar deeply impacted by the Western tide.