About this title: In this narrative history of 18th-century China, a prominent scholar recreates the imperial world as he relates a plot to kill the emperor. A New York Times Notable Book for 2001.
Note: This is a general synopsis. Each listing is described below.
Description: Good. Purchasing this book supports the King County Library System Foundation. Thriftbooks and KCLSF have partnered to help raise additional funds for the library system. Ex-Library book-will contain library markings. Light shelf wear and minimal interior marks. Millions of satisfied customers and climbing. Thriftbooks is the name you can trust, guaranteed. Spend Less. Read More. read more
Description: Good. Former Library book. Shows some signs of wear, and may have some markings on the inside. Shipped to over one million happy customers. Your purchase benefits world literacy! read more
Description: Good. Shows some signs of wear, and may have some markings on the inside. Shipped to over one million happy customers. Your purchase benefits world literacy! read more
Description: Very Good. 0670892920 clean inside-cover shows minor wear, spine tight, dust jacket books may have some minor wearhouse damage. Stickers may be on spine or covers. read more
Binding: Hardcover
Publisher: Viking Adult
Date Published: 2001-03-05
ISBN-13:9780670892921ISBN:0670892920
Description: Like New. Dust jacket shows very minor shelf wear, otherwise an unblemished copy.; 100% Satisfaction Guaranteed! Free Delivery Confirmation! Ships same or next business day! read more
Binding: Hardcover
Publisher: Viking Adult
Date Published: 2001-03-05
ISBN-13:9780670892921ISBN:0670892920
Description: New. Book is Brand New, Gift condition. Free tracking # included! International buyers are welcome. We ship every business day. 100% Satisfaction Guaranteed! read more
Edition: First Edition
Binding: Hardcover
Publisher: Viking, New York
Date Published: 2001
ISBN-13:9780670892921ISBN:0670892920
Description: Very Good in Fine jacket. 8vo-over 7¾"-9¾" tall. xix, 300 pp. First printing. The lower fore-corner of the front cover is very slightly bumped. The binding is tight and the text is clean. read more
Binding: Paperback
Publisher: Penguin
Date Published: 2002
ISBN-13:9780142000410ISBN:0142000418
Description: Good. Book has cover scuffing and edge-rubbing. Inside is clean. From Publishers Weekly: In 1728, Emperor Yongzheng of China received a message from a distant subordinate advising that treason, in the form of a letter denouncing his regime, was abroad in the land. This new book by Yale scholar Spence (The Death of Woman Wang; The Search for Modern China; etc. ) traces the intricate and surprising consequences of that disclosure. Partly a chronicle of historical events and partly an examination ... read more
"Great if you are interested in Chinese history. A curious set of interwoven political and criminal cases provides an introduction and examination of Manchu governance in the early 1800s, and provides insight into Emperor Yongzheng's personal style.
The style tends toward dryness and unfolds along a clear timeline. However, it is enlivened byt the odd cast of characters: indignant emperor, naive bumpkin, mysterious fake scholar and furious magistrates."
"Spence does it again. He pulls a truly obscure figure from history and creates a highly readable story, all without abandoning scholarly rigor. Unlike so many authors, Spence keeps the story in history."
"This book highlights the intricacies of politics in the Qing dynasty and many of the challenges that the Qing rulers faced as a conquest dynasty. It shows how the Yongzheng emperor is eager to stifle dissent but at the same time, he wants to be looked upon as a benevolent ruler.
Despite his effort, it seems that there's no way to really stifle dissent. Even though the emperor engages in a "debate" with the "conspirator", and manages to "win over" the conspirator, in the end, it proves ineffective because it creates as many problems as it tries to solve.
Spence writes history like fiction, and I mean it in a good way. It does feel a little slow moving at times with all the details thrown in but overall, it's a good read for anyone interested in Chinese history, particularly, the Qing dynasty. My only gripe is that it seems incomplete at times because Spence never really questioned the validity/sincerity of Zeng Jing's confession. Can we really believe someone who confesses to his "errors" after extreme torture and imprisonment? Was Zeng Jing forced to make such a confession under duress? Was he tempted by the monetary reward offered? Or was he sincere? I guess we can never really know."
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