To Change China

Western Advisers in China

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From “the best known and most talented historian of China writing in English today” (Los Angeles Times), an examination of a diverse collection of Western foreigners who attempted “to change China”
 
"To change China" was the goal of foreign missionaries, soldiers, doctors, teachers, engineers, and revolutionaries for more than three hundred years. But the Chinese, while eagerly accepting Western technical advice, clung steadfastly to their own religious and cultural traditions. As a new era of relations between China and the United States begins, the tales in this volume will serve as cautionary histories for businessmen, diplomats, students, or any other foreigners who foolishly believe that they can transform this vast, enigmatic country.
To Change China - Jonathan D. Spence List of Illustrations
Acknowledgments
Introduction
1. Schall and Verbiest: To God Through the Stars
2. Peter Parker: Bodies or Souls
3. Ward and Gordon: Glorious Days of Looting
4. Lay and Hart: Power, Patronage, Pay
5. Martin and Fryer: Trimming the Lamps
6. Edward Hume: Yale for China
7. Mikhail Borodin: Life in the Sun
8. Todd and Bethune: Overcome All Terrors
9. Chennault, Stilwell, Wedemeyer: A Compass for Shangri-La
10. The Last Rounds: U.S.A. and U.S.S.R.
Chapter Notes
Index
Jonathan D. Spence’s 11 books on Chinese history include The Gate of Heavenly PeaceTreason by the Book, and The Death of Woman Wang. He has been awarded Guggenheim and MacArthur fellowships and is professor emeritus of history at Yale University. View titles by Jonathan D. Spence

About

From “the best known and most talented historian of China writing in English today” (Los Angeles Times), an examination of a diverse collection of Western foreigners who attempted “to change China”
 
"To change China" was the goal of foreign missionaries, soldiers, doctors, teachers, engineers, and revolutionaries for more than three hundred years. But the Chinese, while eagerly accepting Western technical advice, clung steadfastly to their own religious and cultural traditions. As a new era of relations between China and the United States begins, the tales in this volume will serve as cautionary histories for businessmen, diplomats, students, or any other foreigners who foolishly believe that they can transform this vast, enigmatic country.

Table of Contents

To Change China - Jonathan D. Spence List of Illustrations
Acknowledgments
Introduction
1. Schall and Verbiest: To God Through the Stars
2. Peter Parker: Bodies or Souls
3. Ward and Gordon: Glorious Days of Looting
4. Lay and Hart: Power, Patronage, Pay
5. Martin and Fryer: Trimming the Lamps
6. Edward Hume: Yale for China
7. Mikhail Borodin: Life in the Sun
8. Todd and Bethune: Overcome All Terrors
9. Chennault, Stilwell, Wedemeyer: A Compass for Shangri-La
10. The Last Rounds: U.S.A. and U.S.S.R.
Chapter Notes
Index

Author

Jonathan D. Spence’s 11 books on Chinese history include The Gate of Heavenly PeaceTreason by the Book, and The Death of Woman Wang. He has been awarded Guggenheim and MacArthur fellowships and is professor emeritus of history at Yale University. View titles by Jonathan D. Spence

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