Beijing: From Imperial Capital to Olympic City

by Lillian M. Li, Alison Dray-Novey, Haili Kong

Few world cities have a record as long, as fascinating, or as well-documented as Beijing's. A capital almost continuously for more than a thousand years, the city has been Khubilai Khan's Mongol headquarters, home to emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties, and the main stage for Communist-era achievements and upheavals. Beijing is the first book in English to trace this vibrant city's history from its earliest days to the present. It highlights recent changes in the city as its more than fifteen million people live through record-level economic growth and intensive preparations for the 2008 Olympics. Focusing on the lives of ordinary residents and rulers alike, the authors examine the controversial destruction of historic districts as well as the construction of new residential and business districts and Olympic venues. Extensive photographs and paintings, many not previously published, offer a window onto Beijing not only in major phases of its past, but also in its startlingly different present. Compelling and revealing, Beijing arrives just in time for the city's turn in the Olympic spotlight.

Genres: China, History, Nonfiction

368 pages, Paperback

First published May 29, 2007

Reviews

[Richard · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book. Real tight structure. Looks at Beijing under the Liao, Jin, and Yuan dynasties, before exploring the city and its people in detail under the Qing. The authors branch back into the past while keeping scope in check.

Lots of cool facts like the fashion trends of country bumpkins and granaries as instruments in monetary policy. Beijing was highly policed - not just by men with weapons, but by the city walls themselves. Crime seemed loosely tolerated around the outskirts to protect the interior.

With the end of dynasty and Manchu assimilation, Chinese nationalism played out in conflicts inside the walled city, stoked by Japanese occupation. Both the modern Republican and Communist states legitimised themselves by capturing Beijing.

Highly recommend.

[Kiah · Rating 3 out of 5]

A history of Beijing that packs a lot of information in its pages. I felt that the authors make some assumptions that the reader has a general knowledge of Chinese history (which I'm embarrassingly lacking), but otherwise good!

[Ford · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent history of Beijing that could be read in a weekend. Even cooler was seeing a man that gave me a tour of Matteo Ricci's tomb (Dr. Yu Sanle) being listed cited as a source in the bibliography.

[Thomas · Rating 1 out of 5]

The city has a fascinating history. But this book has too many authors -- what I call the 'text book effect' -- simply that stories produced by committee tend to suck.

[Emma · Rating 4 out of 5]

Impressive account of the history of Beijing. Fascinating details and personal accounts abound in a thoroughly researched history of one of the most important and controversial cities in the world.

[António · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book is not only about Beijing, but also about the history of the chinese empire. It give me insight about the culture, the costumes from its inception until the last century.

[Anna · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is by Beth's mom. Of course it is good. Dr. Dray-Novey doesn't screw around.