The Qing Dynasty and Traditional Chinese Culture
By (author) Richard J. Smith
Not available to order
Publication date:
23 October 2015Length of book:
560 pagesPublisher
Rowman & Littlefield PublishersISBN-13: 9781442221949
The Qing dynasty (1636–1912)—a crucial bridge between “traditional” and “modern” China—was remarkable for its expansiveness and cultural sophistication. This engaging and insightful history of Qing political, social, and cultural life traces the complex interaction between the Inner Asian traditions of the Manchus, who conquered China in 1644, and indigenous Chinese cultural traditions. Noted historian Richard J. Smith argues that the pragmatic Qing emperors presented a “Chinese” face to their subjects who lived south of the Great Wall and other ethnic faces (particularly Manchu, Mongolian, Central Asian, and Tibetan) to subjects in other parts of their vast multicultural empire. They were attracted by many aspects of Chinese culture, but far from being completely “sinicized” as many scholars argue, they were also proud of their own cultural traditions and interested in other cultures as well.
Setting Qing dynasty culture in historical and global perspective, Smith shows how the Chinese of the era viewed the world; how their outlook was expressed in their institutions, material culture, and customs; and how China’s preoccupation with order, unity, and harmony contributed to the civilization’s remarkable cohesiveness and continuity. Nuanced and wide-ranging, his authoritative book provides an essential introduction to late imperial Chinese culture and society.
Setting Qing dynasty culture in historical and global perspective, Smith shows how the Chinese of the era viewed the world; how their outlook was expressed in their institutions, material culture, and customs; and how China’s preoccupation with order, unity, and harmony contributed to the civilization’s remarkable cohesiveness and continuity. Nuanced and wide-ranging, his authoritative book provides an essential introduction to late imperial Chinese culture and society.
The Qing Dynasty and Traditional Chinese Culture goes far beyond the boundaries of, and expectations for, a conventional textbook. It is an introduction to the history and culture of the Qing period that assumes no background, but the breadth of the subjects covered and the sophistication of their interpretation render this a valuable resource for scholars and teachers as well as for their students.Smith’s erudition and experience derived from a lifetime of teaching and scholarship are abundantly displayed in the book.... Both the author and the publisher are to be commended for incorporating so many materials that will be of use to both beginning students and their teachers and to other researchers.