Emperor Qianlong: Son of Heaven, Man of the World |  | Author: Mark Elliott
Creator: Peter N. Stearns
Publisher: Longman
Category: Book
List Price: $22.20
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Rating:  3 reviews
Sales Rank: 165,093
Media: Paperback
Pages: 208
Number Of Items: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.5
Dimensions (in): 8.9 x 5.9 x 0.5
ISBN: 0321084446
Dewey Decimal Number: 951.032092
EAN: 9780321084446
ASIN: 0321084446
Publication Date: May 1, 2009
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Product Description
This new entry in the Longman Library of World Biography series offers an intimate and provocative account of the Manchu emperor Qianlong (1711-1799), one of the world’s great empire-builders, who helped build the foundation of the modern Chinese nation. During the 64 years of Qianlong’s rule, China’s population more than doubled, its territory increased by one-third, its cities flourished, and its manufactures – tea, silk, porcelain – were principal items of international commerce. Based on original Chinese and Manchu-language sources, and drawing on the latest scholarship, this is the biography of the man who, in presiding over imperial China’s last golden epoch, created the geographic and demographic framework of modern China. This accessible account describes the personal struggles and public drama surrounding one of the major political figures of the early modern age, with special consideration given to the emperor’s efforts to rise above ethnic divisions and to encompass the political and religious traditions of Han Chinese, Mongols, Tibetans, Turks, and other peoples of his realm. In addition to becoming familiar with one of the most remarkable figures in world history, readers will find that learning about Emperor Qianlong will add greatly to their appreciation of China’s place in the world of the eighteenth century and will deepen their understanding of China’s place in the world today.
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| Customer Reviews:
Concise and entertaining, excellent resource for teachers October 14, 2009
Insignificant Grad Student (California)
4 out of 4 found this review helpful
This highly entertaining and compact book is by far the best overview on Qing, China for teaching. Elliott is masterful in taking a seemingly dull topic (I am typically not a big fan of late imperial China) and bringing it to life in a non-intimidating way. This book uses the backdrop of a biography of the Qianlong emperor to map out everything you need to know about the 18th century (Qianlong reigned over sixty years), including summarizing for a general audience the major debates in the field. There are no characters in this book and explains for the layperson on how to pronounce many of the Chinese names used. The back has an annotated bibliography for further reading. (Good for qualifying exam preparation!)
Everything from ritual life, to population growth and domestic politics, to trade, to the tribute system and Qing China in the world, and the British, is discussed in here, along with lots of little stories (good for attention-grabbing in lecture) and exciting new research in the field. For example, there's detailed discussion of the emperor's extensive imperial tours in China, the relationship with his wives, Qing consolidation of borders and border conflicts (including Tibet and Xinjiang), and discussion of Qianlong's obsession in preserving Manchu ways of life (clothing, language, hunting, martial skills, etc). There's also a great map for teaching Qing China borders (not that different from the current Chinese borders, minus Mongolia and Taiwan) with a map of the US overlaying it. Visually, one can see that the two countries are approximately the same size. Fascinating stuff to use for lecture!
Imperial thumbs up! February 3, 2010
Voice O. F. Reason (Hong Kong)
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
A very good book, fleshed out with loads of interesting detail and broad context which helps to put things in perspective, especially against major events in western history. I also like the fact that it is well organized, so it can serve as a quick reference book as well as a relaxing and engaging read. Not a mean feat for what some may consider to be a dry subject.
Imperial Apex July 10, 2010
J. Romane (chicago, il)
This biography of the QianLong Emperor of the Ching Dynasty includes both personal and political information of this very long and important reign. Well written and dramatic description reveal a political social system running at its best to produce a rich, cultivated society providing satisfactory outlets for the energy of most of its peoples. Managing this diverse structure took constant effort and clear judgements which the Qianlong Emperor provided most of the time. The traditional authoritarian Chinese outlook and the fear that different ideas and methods would prove upsetting to a rather smoothly running society inhibited decision making so that the seeds of possible long term disruption were present. But those problems the emperor left to the future.
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