History : China

In 1856 Emperor Hsien Feng turned over an ornately carved jade name-plaque next to his bedchamber, an action with which he brought a much-desired new concubine to his bed and unwittingly sealed the fate of the Manchu dynasty. A centuries-old prophecy had foretold that Manchu rule in China would be brought to ruin by a woman from the Yeho-Nala tribe; in the darkness of the bedchamber those words became reality. The Emperor was entranced with the young woman he had chosen, and from that time her power over him was ensured. Her name was Yehonala. more...

Price: $32.50

Re-examines Marco Polo's book about his journey to China in the wake of criticism by some scholars that he had never been there. This work clarifies Polo's itineraries in China and proposes identifications of places mentioned. It concludes that Polo's work is accurate, and a useful source from an extraordinary period of China's history. more...

Price: $115.00

This multidisciplinary collection underlines the importance of understanding the operations of human agency—defined here as the ability to exert power, specifically in resistance to ideological pressure. In particular, the contributors emphasize the historical and cultural conditions that facilitate the production of agency in an effort to gain a deeper understanding of the cultures of China, India, and Japan. In Narratives of Agency, scholars from a variety of disciplines argue that traditional Western approaches to the study of these cultures have unduly focused on the pervasive influence of family and clan (China), caste and fatalism (India), and groupism (Japan). This tendency has been exacerbated by modern critical approaches, such as postmodernism and poststructuralism, that not only are increasingly popular in studying these cultures but also de-emphasize the role of the individual. The resultant undermining of the notion of human agency tends to give short shrift to the very real individual differences between groups and ignores questions of personal desire and intentionality. These essays remind us that members of a community have to make personal choices, struggle and interact with others, argue about positions, and confront new challenges, all of which involve intentionality and human agency. A new look at a topic central to cross-cultural understanding, Narratives of Agency will be essential reading for those interested in China, India, Japan, and the world beyond. Contributors: Richard G. Fox, Lydia H. Liu, Owen M. Lynch, Vijay Mishra, Marie Thorsten Morimoto, Emiko Ohnuki-Tierney, Eugene Yuejin Wang, Ming-Bao Yue, more...

Price: $78.00

One Billion Customers maximizes the expansive knowledge of a respected journalist, well-known businessman, and ultimate China insider, offering compelling narratives of personalities, business deals, and lessons learned -- from Morgan Stanley's creation of a joint-venture Chinese investment bank to the pleasure dome of a smuggler whose $6 billion operation demonstrates how corruption greases the wheels of Chinese commerce. With nearly 100 strategies for conducting business in China, this unprecedented account combines practical lessons with the story of China's remarkable rise to power. more...

Price: $17.99

Amongst the Chinese exists great cultural variety and diversity. The Cantonese care more for profit than face and are good businessmen, whereas Fujian Rén are frank, blunt and outspoken but daring and generous. Beijing Rén are more aristocratic and well-mannered, having stayed in a city ruled by emperors of different dynasties. Shanghai Rén are more enterprising, adventurous and materialistic but less aristocratic, having been at the center of pre-war gangsterism. Hainan Rén are straightforward, blunt and stubborn. Hunan Rén are more warlike and have produced more marshals and generals than any other province. Pioneers of Modern China is a fascinating book that paints a vivid picture of the unique cultural characteristics and behavior of the Chinese in the various provinces. Using leaders in the modern history of China, such as Sun Yat Sen, Chiang Kai Shek, Mao Zedong, Zhou Enlai, Deng Xiaoping, Jiang Zemin, Hu Jintao and Wen Jiabao as representatives, it offers an in-depth look into the psyche of the Chinese people. It also pays tribute to writers, painters and kungfu experts, who have helped to develop the country socially and artistically. more...

Price: $113.00