The Sextants of Beijing: Global Currents in Chinese History

by Joanna Waley-Cohen

This powerful work puts to rest the long-held myth that Chinese civilization is monolithic, unchanging, and perennially cut off from the rest of the world. An inviting history of China from the days of the ancient Silk Road to the present, this book describes a civilization more open and engaged with the rest of the world than we think. Whether in trade, religious belief, ideology, or technology, China has long taken part in fruitful exchange with other cultures. With implications for our understanding of and our policies toward China, this is a must read. Maps

Genres: China, History, Nonfiction, Politics, Asia, School

336 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 1999

Reviews

[David Schwan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Most histories of China emphasize an isolationist view of China. The author here shows how China fr some time has been more open than what we think of. For example, China had all the latest weaponry from the west but was rather incompetent when it came time to use those weapons. For people interested in Chinese history this book offered an interesting perspective.

[Jim · Rating 4 out of 5]

A clear, convincing narrative. After centuries of foreign exploitation and internal disharmony, China has emerged as a world power. And China has learned from its experience. Its pragmatic - and formidable - game plan is to avoid the historical mistakes of competitor nations while it attempts to build internal unity around its cultural values. Westerners needn’t agree with China’s politics to appreciate its historical tenacity.

[Kai Lewen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Overall it offers an interesting overview of the impact of foreigners in China throughout the ages. Doesn't go into immense detail on any one event but gives the reader a good general understanding of how to look at modern Chinese sentiments through a historical lense.

[Ming Jiu Li · Rating 4 out of 5]

Informative, insightful, kept to the theme of China's relations with the outside world. Written in 1999, some information is a little dated.

[Øystein Bjaanes · Rating 4 out of 5]

China, in the poular imagination, is a nation closed to outsiders. A nation who works as hard as it can to keep foreigners somewhere way out of reach.

Prof. Waley-Cohen takes on this story and adds nuance.

Firstly, she poits out that generally speaking, up until the Qing dynasty, China was interacting with its neighbours quite regularly. The exception was when dynasties changed. At those times, the Chinese focused their attention inwards.

Then came the period of unequal treaties and gunboat diplomacy. At that time, China sought to keep contact with outsiders to a minimum - at least western outsiders. China desperatly wanted to keep up with other nations, so they were never adverse to new technological learning. However, they were very careful of western thought, which they regarded as completely at odds with Chinese tradition. The rulers (correctly) assumed that new modes of thought would undermine the legitimacy of their rule, and erode Chinese tradition.

The result: China closed up as best it could because it realized that knowledge brought along western thought.

All in all a very readable book!

[Jack · Rating 3 out of 5]

Waley-Cohen amply proved her thesis that the prevailing Western cliche of a closed and isolated China that had to be "opened" by Western intervention at the beginning of the 20th century is a complete and profound misreading of the historical record.

She covers almost two millenia of trade, diplomacy, and cultural and religious interaction of China with other parts of Asia, with the middle east, with Europe, and even with the western hemisphere.

I reveal my western basis when I express my lack of satisfaction with the book's description of trends/policy approaches that spanned multiple centuries. Perhaps living in a country which has a history of development over a several centuries makes it harder to understand one with a history of a couple millenia. Perhaps a real grasp this length of history is beyond the scope of this relatively short book.

Great overview information for a reader who lacks knowledge of the basic outline of Chinese history - like me. Reads like a text book.

[Clint Wheeler]

Part of my History of Asia course. I've only read the Intro, but I'm excited, esecialy about the ties to religion and the spread if Christianity in Asia

[!Tæmbuŝu]

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