Podcasts about heavenly kingdom china

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Best podcasts about heavenly kingdom china

Latest podcast episodes about heavenly kingdom china

Modern China

Play Episode Listen Later Mar 12, 2024 51:15


In today's episode, hosts Rudyard Lynch and Erik Torenberg delve into the rich and complex history of China in the last several hundred years -- a critical period if we consider China the greatest rival of the US. The discussion explores China's once stagnant technological and social progress, periods of humiliation by Western powers, China under Mao, and the subsequent rise to become a global superpower. Rudyard's comprehensive narrative also highlights the dramatic shifts in China's demographic, political, and economic landscapes, illuminating the factors that have shaped its current politics and societal challenges. Watch this episode accompanied by maps and illustrations on History 102's YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@history102-qg5oj History 102 is part of the Turpentine podcast network. Learn more: turpentine.co --- SPONSOR: PLUMB Plumb is a no-code AI app builder designed for product teams who care about quality and speed. What is taking you weeks to hand-code today can be done confidently in hours. Check out https://bit.ly/PlumbTCR for early access --- This show is produced by Turpentine: a network of podcasts, newsletters, and more, covering technology, business, and culture — all from the perspective of industry insiders and experts. We're launching new shows every week, and we're looking for industry-leading sponsors — if you think that might be you and your company, email us at erik@turpentine.co. --- RELATED PODCAST: If you dig History 102, we think you'll love Live Players with Samo Burja from Turpentine. Every week Samo and Erik dive into a key power player, institution, or company changing the course of history. Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5fbMTkHBnom1JIBWYNVBK1 Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/id1718925188 --- RECOMMENDED BOOKS: China: A History by John Keay The Soul of China by Amaury de Riencourt. Mao: The Unknown Story by Jung Chang Autumn in the Heavenly Kingdom: China, the West, and the Epic Story of the Taiping Civil War by Stephen R. Platt LINKS: WhatifAltHist on What if China Wasn't Communist: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kt5RY_DRbDU --- TIMESTAMPS: (00:00) Intro (00:20) Understanding China's Historical Context (02:04) China's Isolation and Technological Stagnation (07:56) China's Geopolitical Position During the Manchu Dynasty (10:57) 300-year Period of Peace in China (12:12) The Opium Wars: A Turning Point in Chinese History (15:28) Be a Sponsor of a Turpentine Podcast (16:17) The Opium Wars - continued (21:40) The Taiping Rebellion: A Forgotten War (31:55) The Boxer Rebellion and the Fall of the Chinese Monarchy (33:18) Communism and Mao's China (39:08) Deng Xiaoping's Reforms and China's Economic Boom (41:56) Predicting China's Future: Growth and Potential Challenges (46:36) Wrap and Further Reading Recommendations

Zeitsprung
GAG423: Der Sohn Gottes Hong Xiuquan und sein Aufstand gegen das imperiale China

Zeitsprung

Play Episode Listen Later Nov 1, 2023 65:05


Wir springen in dieser Folge ins 19. Jahrhundert. Schauplatz ist der Süden Chinas, wo ein Dorflehrer nach Visionen zu dem Schluss kommt, er sei der jüngere Bruder Jesu. Damit löst er eine Entwicklung aus, die schließlich in einen Bürgerkrieg mündet, der über zwanzig Millionen Menschen das Leben kostet. //Literatur Jeffrey N. Wasserstrom. The Oxford Illustrated History of Modern China. Oxford University Press, 2016. Jonathan Spence. God's Chinese Son. W.W. Norton, 1997. Stephen R. Platt. Autumn in the Heavenly Kingdom: China, the West, and the Epic Story of the Taiping Civil War. Knopf, 2012. Tobie Meyer-Fong. What Remains: Coming to Terms With Civil War in 19th Century China. Stanford University Press, 2013. Das Episodenbild zeigt eine angebliche Abbildung Hong Xiuquans aus dem Jahr 1853. //Aus unserer Werbung Du möchtest mehr über unsere Werbepartner erfahren? Hier findest du alle Infos & Rabatte: https://linktr.ee/GeschichtenausderGeschichte //Wir haben auch ein Buch geschrieben: Wer es erwerben will, es ist überall im Handel, aber auch direkt über den Verlag zu erwerben: https://www.piper.de/buecher/geschichten-aus-der-geschichte-isbn-978-3-492-06363-0 Wer unsere Folgen lieber ohne Werbung anhören will, kann das über eine kleine Unterstützung auf Steady oder ein Abo des GeschichteFM-Plus Kanals auf Apple Podcasts tun. Wir freuen uns, wenn ihr den Podcast bei Apple Podcasts oder wo auch immer dies möglich ist rezensiert oder bewertet. Wir freuen uns auch immer, wenn ihr euren Freundinnen und Freunden, Kolleginnen und Kollegen oder sogar Nachbarinnen und Nachbarn von uns erzählt!

Chinese Revolutions: A History Podcast
S01E42 Taiping Rebellion: Epilogue

Chinese Revolutions: A History Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Apr 20, 2023 32:46


S01E42 Taiping Rebellion: Epilogue In this episode, we finish up our coverage of the Taiping Rebellion, as such. In following episodes, we'll do a little more with how the roots in the succeeding era come on from interactions between the Qing Dynasty government and foreign powers. We follow the final chapter of Autumn in the Heavenly Kingdom: China, the West, and the Epic Story of the Taiping Civil War by Stephen R. Platt. While the Taiping inspired later generations of revolutionaries, they ultimately failed to carry through a successful revolution. This episode looks at why, and what future revolutionary movements will have to do to succeed. If You'd Like to Support the Podcast Subscribe, share, leave a rating. Give once, give monthly at www.buymeacoffee.com/crpodcast Subscribe to the substack newsletter at https://chineserevolutions.substack.com/ Also... Please reach out at chineserevolutions@gmail.com and let me know what you think!

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Chinese Revolutions: A History Podcast
S01E36 Taiping Rebellion: Other Foreign Visitors to the Taiping

Chinese Revolutions: A History Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Dec 8, 2022 27:23


S01E36 Taiping Rebellion: Other Foreign Visitors to the Taiping In this episode, we look at more of the visitors to Hong Rengan, effective foreign minister for the Taiping. First is Griffith John, a Welsh missionary. He came on a factfinding mission to see what Nanjing was like under the Taiping. He thought the Taiping were very wrong, religiously speaking, but he thought he saw an opportunity for missionary work, were they to win the war. Yung Wing, an American-educated young Chinese man, came to look at the part of China held by the Taiping and ultimately used the opportunity to get access to tea growing areas rather than to join up with the rebels. We further discuss how national characteristics ultimately poke through the revolution as nations adjust to new reality after everything changes. The more things change, the more they stay the same, as it were. Hat tip to the Revolutions podcast by Mike Duncan for some of the insights in this episode concerning the Russian Revolution. We're still following Autumn in the Heavenly Kingdom: China, the West, and the Epic Story of the Taiping Civil War by Stephen R. Platt If You'd Like to Support the Podcast Subscribe, share, leave a rating. Give once, give monthly at www.buymeacoffee.com/crpodcast Subscribe to the substack newsletter at https://chineserevolutions.substack.com/ Also... Please reach out at chineserevolutions@gmail.com and let me know what you think!

Chinese Revolutions: A History Podcast
S01E31 Taiping Rebellion: Zeng Guofan Starts Attacking

Chinese Revolutions: A History Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 13, 2022 35:38


S01E31 Taiping Rebellion: Zeng Guofan Starts Attacking In this episode, we go over the organization of Zeng Guofan's army and the first few years of his campaigns against the Taiping rebels. We are following the book Autumn in the Heavenly Kingdom: China, the West, and the Epic Story of the Taiping Civil War by Stephen R. Platt for this episode. Motivating the Army Zeng Guofan's army recruited in Hunan had local loyalties, but not a strong attachment to the emperor. The soldiers were well paid to shore up their personal motivation to fight well and not steal from locals in areas they moved through. Songs were composed to instruct soldiers in proper conduct on campaign. Because of the importance of local support to defeating the Taiping, it was critical to prevent soldiers from stealing from local people. Zeng Guofan's Political Realities Zeng Guofan had to deal with opposition from local elites, officials, and others. Whatever their reasons, his local opponents made his job extremely difficult to the point that he attempted suicide twice after big defeats. Some victories helped Zeng Guofan silence some critics, but his work was an uphill battle on both the military and political sides of his mission. If You'd Like to Support the Podcast Subscribe, share, leave a rating. Give once, give monthly at www.buymeacoffee.com/crpodcast Subscribe to the substack newsletter at https://chineserevolutions.substack.com/ Also... Please reach out at chineserevolutions@gmail.com and let me know what you think!

Chinese Revolutions: A History Podcast
S01E30 Taiping Rebellion: Zeng Guofan Builds His Army

Chinese Revolutions: A History Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 6, 2022 30:49


S01E30 Taiping Rebellion: Zeng Guofan Builds His Army In this episode, we look at the process that Zeng Guofan went through to build his army. When he was in Hunan to mourn the death of his mother, in 1853 he accepted the mission from the emperor to take charge of military affairs in the province. Ordinarily, the Han elements of the Qing army had a divided command structure to keep them from uniting against the Manchurian dynasty. Due to the extreme emergency situation, the emperor gave Zeng Guofan unified command authority. Zeng Guofan was not a military man, but he set up a plan based on discipline and he insisted on "kill or be killed" approaches to training. We draw upon Autumn in the Heavenly Kingdom: China, the West, and the Epic Story of the Taiping Civil War by Stephen R. Platt. Including insights from The Dictator's Handbook: Why Bad Behavior is Almost Always Good Politics by Bruce Bueno de Mesquita and Alistair Smith. If You'd Like to Support the Podcast Subscribe, share, leave a rating. Give once, give monthly at www.buymeacoffee.com/crpodcast Subscribe to the substack newsletter at https://chineserevolutions.substack.com/ Also... Please reach out at chineserevolutions@gmail.com and let me know what you think!

Chinese Revolutions: A History Podcast
S01E26 Taiping Rebellion: Hong Rengan in Nanjing

Chinese Revolutions: A History Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 1, 2022 34:32


S01E26 Taiping Rebellion: Hong Rengan in Nanjing In this episode, we go over Hong Rengan's journey from Hong Kong to Nanjing, what it was like when he got there, and his prospects for changing the Taiping movement. Today's episode substantially based on Autumn in the Heavenly Kingdom: China, the West, and the Epic Story of the Taiping Civil War by Stephen R. Platt. The Journey to Nanjing Hong Rengan traveled overland in disguise to Nanjing. Along the way, he saw the devastation wrought by conquest and reconquest of the same areas, and the consequences of long-term occupation by both armies. He succeeded in penetrating Qing lines because the troops varied widely in competence and they didn't search him especially closely. He was arrested and held for a few days, but managed to escape. When he did make contact with a Taiping patrol, he was arrested as a possible Qing spy, but ultimately managed to convince the commander that he was connected to Hong Xiuquan. In Nanjing Nanjing was a formerly glorious city run by a cult under siege. Much of the population left for the countryside. Much of the city was abandoned and run down. Hong Xiuquan lived in imperial seclusion. Hong Rengan's arrival provided Hong Xiuquan a badly needed top-level advisor. Hong Rengan's rapid promotion made a number of the other top commanders jealous, but for the moment, he was able to convince them he knew his stuff and he'd be a good addition to the team. Looking Ahead The Taiping Rebellion will fail. The foreign powers will intervene in the conflict, and the Taiping will critically fail to make the right connections to have the foreign powers intervene on their side. The Taiping Rebellion will nevertheless bring out the cause of liberating the Han people (the majority of Chinese) from foreign Manchu rule. We will see how the Taiping Rebellion will advance the revolutions yet to come. If You'd Like to Support the Podcast Subscribe, share, leave a rating. Give once, give monthly at www.buymeacoffee.com/crpodcast Subscribe to the substack newsletter at https://chineserevolutions.substack.com/ Also... Please reach out at chineserevolutions@gmail.com and let me know what you think!

People's History of Ideas Podcast
The Self-Strengthening Movement: Too Little Too Late?

People's History of Ideas Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 11, 2019 25:27 Transcription Available


This episode focuses on the 1862-1895 period, when the Empress Dowager Cixi ruled and reformers tried to make China strong enough to stand up to foreign powers by modernizing the military and promoting 'new learning.' Also, a few words on the surge in overseas Chinese migration during this time, and its relationship to revolutionary nationalist movements to overthrow the Qing Empire.The books that I quote from in the episode are:Zheng Yangwen, Ten Lessons in Modern Chinese History (https://www.manchesteruniversitypress.co.uk/9780719097737/)Stephen Platt, Autumn in the Heavenly Kingdom: China, the West, and the Epic Story of the Taiping Civil War (https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/131825/autumn-in-the-heavenly-kingdom-by-stephen-r-platt/9780307472212/)

People's History of Ideas Podcast
The Taiping Revolution

People's History of Ideas Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Jun 14, 2019 27:30 Transcription Available


The strange story of Christian peasant revolutionaries in 19th century China. This episode is about the origins and early years of the Taiping Revolution (1850-1864). Both the early Nationalist revolutionaries, like Sun Yat-sen, and later Communists, like Mao Zedong, were inspired by the peasant war led by Hong Xiuquan. But the Taipings were more than just a very large peasant rebellion, as their leader, Hong, thought he was the younger brother of Jesus Christ.Good resources for more information:Jonathan Spence, God's Chinese Son: The Taiping Heavenly Kingdom of Hong Xiuquan (https://wwnorton.com/books/Gods-Chinese-Son/)Stephen Platt, Autumn in the Heavenly Kingdom: China, the West, and the Epic Story of the Taiping Civil War (https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/131825/autumn-in-the-heavenly-kingdom-by-stephen-r-platt/9780307472212/)

Sinica Podcast
Shadow banking, P2P lending, and pyramid schemes: Lucy Hornby on China's gray economy

Sinica Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Nov 15, 2018 51:43


This week on Sinica, Kaiser speaks with Lucy Hornby, the deputy bureau chief of the Financial Times in Beijing and a veteran guest on the show. She has appeared on Sinica before to discuss professional representation for women in China, the last surviving comfort women in the country, and domestic environmental challenges. The two discuss shadow banking in China and its history; the cat-and-mouse relationship between regulators and shadow financiers; the advent of fintech and the proliferation of peer-to-peer (P2P) lending platforms; and Lucy’s reporting on a pyramid scheme involving selenium-infused wheat in Hebei. What to listen for this week on the Sinica Podcast: 11:15: Lucy responding to Kaiser’s question on perceptions of shadow lending in China: “You see repeated attempts by the Chinese state to shut this down. And also the words that they use around it: shadow banking, private banking, private financiers, capitalists… They’re very much painted in a negative light. But at the same time, some of China’s biggest entrepreneurs have said they would never have gotten started or been able to make it through a downturn [without a shadow loan].” 13:02: Lucy points out that in the lead-up to the financial crisis of 2008, the state took control of building housing from private investors: “This cutoff in loans [to private entities] happened roughly around the time you had the global financial crisis and the Chinese government putting out a massive stimulus plan…and suddenly if you can make a 30 percent profit on something, you can take out a 20 percent loan… That's when you really had this explosion of shadow banking that reached into every sector of the economy.” 30:35: “The other thing I think a lot of people don’t realize is that Chinese shadow financing has flowed into peripheral countries… A lot of Mongolian entrepreneurs turn to that shadow financing, and you even had some who then took that and repackaged it at higher rates to Mongolian retail customers. So, that means that basically the nation of Mongolia is now completely exposed to the Chinese shadow banking sector.” 42:15: To conclude the discussion, Lucy provides a bird’s-eye view: “I think your point about China’s need for flexible financing is a real one, and that’s going to continue. But I think what we’re also seeing is a massive deleveraging and default of all these boom years into the pockets of the average Chinese person.” Recommendations: Lucy: Den of Thieves, by James B. Stewart, the tome-like account of the junk bond trading craze of the 1980s, and The China Dream, by Joe Studwell. Kaiser: Two books by Stephen R. Platt: Imperial Twilight: The Opium War and the End of China’s Last Golden Age and Autumn in the Heavenly Kingdom: China, the West, and the Epic Story of the Taiping Civil War.

Sinica Podcast
Talking ’bout my generation: Alec Ash and Chinese millennials

Sinica Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Jan 5, 2017 46:28


Alec Ash is a young British writer who lives in Beijing, who has covered “left behind” children in Chinese villages, the “toughest high school exam in the world” and internet live streaming among many other subjects. He is the author of Wish Lanterns, which the Financial Times called a “closely observed study of China’s millennials.” The book tells the stories of six Chinese people born between 1985 and 1990. The characters have very different backgrounds and aspirations, including a rock musician named Lucifer, an internet addict named Snail, and a patriotic Party official’s daughter.   In this episode of the Sinica Podcast, Alec discusses his book with Kaiser, Jeremy, and David Moser. He talks about contemporary youth culture in China, the concerns of Chinese millennials, how he met the six characters in the book and what we can understand about China’s changing culture from their stories. Recommendations: Jeremy: Unreliable Sources: How the Twentieth Century Was Reported, by John Simpson. David: The Oxford Illustrated History of Modern China, edited by Jeffrey N. Wasserstrom. Alec: The Barbarians at the Gate podcast. Kaiser: Battle Cry of Freedom, by James M. McPherson — ”the best single-volume history of the American Civil War that I know of” — and Autumn in the Heavenly Kingdom: China, the West, and the Epic Story of the Taiping, by Stephen R. Platt.  

Portable Magic
Episode One: Always Bring a Paperback

Portable Magic

Play Episode Listen Later Dec 5, 2014 52:11


In this inaugural episode of Portable Magic, Emily and Kyle talk about reading on the road, their best and worst travel reading experiences, and ponder the mystery of the airport bookstore. They also discuss their vision for the Portable Magic podcast and talk about what they're currently reading. Episode Breakdown: 0:00 – 10:00: What We're Reading 10:00 – 17:00: Our Vision for the Podcast 17:00 – 50:00: Reading while traveling Books Mentioned What Emily's Reading: The Sparrow by Mary Doria Russell What Kyle's Reading: Kalpa Imperial by Angelica Gorodischer, Translated by Ursula LeGuin. Click here to check out one of my favorite stories from the collection, "The End of a Dynasty or The Natural History of Ferrets". Other books: Istanbul: Memories and the City by Orhan Pamuk City of Thieves by David Benioff The Old Man and the Sea by Ernest Hemingway The Terror by Dan Simmons Autumn in the Heavenly Kingdom: China, the West, and the Epic Story of the Taiping Civil War by Stephen Platt The Martian by Andy Weir People Who Eat Darkness by Richard Lloyd Parry Being Mortal: Medicine and What Matters In The End by Atul Gawande Want to share your strategy for packing books for a long trip? Got a literature topic you want Emily and Kyle to explore? Email the show at portablemagicpodcast@gmail.com or tweet us @PortableMagicPC! We will be in the iTunes Podcast directory soon! In the meantime, if you want to subscribe to our podcast, please enter this URL in your favorite podcast player: http://portablemagic.libsyn.com/rss

New Books in Chinese Studies
Stephen R. Platt, “Autumn in the Heavenly Kingdom: China, the West, and the Epic Story of the Taiping Civil War” (Vintage, 2012)

New Books in Chinese Studies

Play Episode Listen Later Jun 3, 2014 75:03


Stephen R. Platt‘s new book is a beautifully written and intricately textured account of the bloodiest civil war of all time. Autumn in the Heavenly Kingdom: China, the West, and the Epic Story of the Taiping Civil War (Vintage Books, 2012) is a deeply international history of the Taiping Civil War that... Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/chinese-studies

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New Books in East Asian Studies
Stephen R. Platt, “Autumn in the Heavenly Kingdom: China, the West, and the Epic Story of the Taiping Civil War” (Vintage, 2012)

New Books in East Asian Studies

Play Episode Listen Later Jun 3, 2014 75:03


Stephen R. Platt‘s new book is a beautifully written and intricately textured account of the bloodiest civil war of all time. Autumn in the Heavenly Kingdom: China, the West, and the Epic Story of the Taiping Civil War (Vintage Books, 2012) is a deeply international history of the Taiping Civil War that... Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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New Books in History
Stephen R. Platt, “Autumn in the Heavenly Kingdom: China, the West, and the Epic Story of the Taiping Civil War” (Vintage, 2012)

New Books in History

Play Episode Listen Later Jun 3, 2014 75:41


Stephen R. Platt‘s new book is a beautifully written and intricately textured account of the bloodiest civil war of all time. Autumn in the Heavenly Kingdom: China, the West, and the Epic Story of the Taiping Civil War (Vintage Books, 2012) is a deeply international history of the Taiping Civil War that situates the story of modern China within a broader, global history of civil war in the US and beyond. Platt refocuses our gaze on the crucial role of a cast of characters who shaped the war and its aftermath but are often overlooked in its histories. Rather than echoing previous accounts of the Taiping that focus on the visionary Hong Xiuquan, Platt thus highlights Hong’s lesser-known cousin, Taiping “Shield King” and keeper of pickles Hong Rengan; the long-haired and wily Frederick Townsend Ward with his tight-fitting black uniform and army of filibusters; and the reluctant and toothache-suffering general Zeng Guofan and his “Confucian scholar’s vision of an army.” (Though he appears only briefly, look out also for Queen Victoria’s unfortunately-named dog “Looty.”) Platt is equally at home when bringing readers into the theater of sieges and political treaties, and while developing very affecting and humane accounts of men and women in the midst of making very difficult decisions in exceptionally challenging circumstances. This award-winning book is well worth reading, both as a masterful history of modern China and a model of evocative and gripping historical writing. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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New Books in Military History
Stephen R. Platt, “Autumn in the Heavenly Kingdom: China, the West, and the Epic Story of the Taiping Civil War” (Vintage, 2012)

New Books in Military History

Play Episode Listen Later Jun 3, 2014 75:03


Stephen R. Platt‘s new book is a beautifully written and intricately textured account of the bloodiest civil war of all time. Autumn in the Heavenly Kingdom: China, the West, and the Epic Story of the Taiping Civil War (Vintage Books, 2012) is a deeply international history of the Taiping Civil War that situates the story of modern China within a broader, global history of civil war in the US and beyond. Platt refocuses our gaze on the crucial role of a cast of characters who shaped the war and its aftermath but are often overlooked in its histories. Rather than echoing previous accounts of the Taiping that focus on the visionary Hong Xiuquan, Platt thus highlights Hong’s lesser-known cousin, Taiping “Shield King” and keeper of pickles Hong Rengan; the long-haired and wily Frederick Townsend Ward with his tight-fitting black uniform and army of filibusters; and the reluctant and toothache-suffering general Zeng Guofan and his “Confucian scholar’s vision of an army.” (Though he appears only briefly, look out also for Queen Victoria’s unfortunately-named dog “Looty.”) Platt is equally at home when bringing readers into the theater of sieges and political treaties, and while developing very affecting and humane accounts of men and women in the midst of making very difficult decisions in exceptionally challenging circumstances. This award-winning book is well worth reading, both as a masterful history of modern China and a model of evocative and gripping historical writing. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

china west vintage hong queen victoria platt confucian epic story vintage books taiping hong xiuquan stephen r platt taiping civil war heavenly kingdom china frederick townsend ward
New Books Network
Stephen R. Platt, “Autumn in the Heavenly Kingdom: China, the West, and the Epic Story of the Taiping Civil War” (Vintage, 2012)

New Books Network

Play Episode Listen Later Jun 3, 2014 75:03


Stephen R. Platt‘s new book is a beautifully written and intricately textured account of the bloodiest civil war of all time. Autumn in the Heavenly Kingdom: China, the West, and the Epic Story of the Taiping Civil War (Vintage Books, 2012) is a deeply international history of the Taiping Civil War that situates the story of modern China within a broader, global history of civil war in the US and beyond. Platt refocuses our gaze on the crucial role of a cast of characters who shaped the war and its aftermath but are often overlooked in its histories. Rather than echoing previous accounts of the Taiping that focus on the visionary Hong Xiuquan, Platt thus highlights Hong’s lesser-known cousin, Taiping “Shield King” and keeper of pickles Hong Rengan; the long-haired and wily Frederick Townsend Ward with his tight-fitting black uniform and army of filibusters; and the reluctant and toothache-suffering general Zeng Guofan and his “Confucian scholar’s vision of an army.” (Though he appears only briefly, look out also for Queen Victoria’s unfortunately-named dog “Looty.”) Platt is equally at home when bringing readers into the theater of sieges and political treaties, and while developing very affecting and humane accounts of men and women in the midst of making very difficult decisions in exceptionally challenging circumstances. This award-winning book is well worth reading, both as a masterful history of modern China and a model of evocative and gripping historical writing. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

china west vintage hong queen victoria platt confucian epic story vintage books taiping hong xiuquan stephen r platt taiping civil war heavenly kingdom china frederick townsend ward