Chinese History - Ching Dynasty, 1644-1912, 20th Century Chinese History - General & Miscellaneous, China - Armed Forces
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Overview
From the perspective of village activists across China, this book tells the stories of farmers and rural laborers who raised the banner of opposition to constitutional reform during the first decade of the twentieth century. The author brings to life the stories of the Camel King of Zunhua county, Qu Shiwen and the Four Mountains of Laiyang county, and many others who criticized government modernization efforts, known collectively as the New Policy. Using county archives—-including oral histories—-as well as memoirs, periodical literature, missionary records, and official documents both Chinese and foreign, Of Camel Kings and Other Things constructs, from fragmented sources, a coherent historical view vital to our understanding of China's twentieth-century crises and the dilemmas of modernity itself.Synopsis
From the perspective of village activists across China, this book tells the stories of farmers and rural laborers who raised the banner of opposition to constitutional reform during the first decade of the twentieth century. Using county archives-including oral histories-as well as memoirs, periodical literature, missionary records, and official documents both Chinese and foreign, Of Camel Kings and Other Things constructs, from fragmented sources, a coherent historical view vital to our understanding of China's twentieth-century crises and the dilemmas of modernity itself.
Ernest P. Young
A highly original exploration of an aspect of early twentieth-century Chinese history that has too long lacked full-scale treatment. The research is always impressive and the work is pioneering..
Editorials
CHOICE
Makes a positive contribution to understanding peasant protests during the last decade (c. 1900-1910) of Imperial China.— E. H. Kaplan, Western Washington University
Journal Of Asian Studies
In the first detailed monograph in English on rural protests against the Qing New Policy state building reforms of 1901–11, Prazniak examines the behavior of many people like the Camel King and reflects on the significance of their collective action. . . . Prazniak offers a wealth of stimulating observations on village social dynamics in her five case studies.American Historical Review
Roxann Prazniak's excellent and pioneering work not only fills a major historical lacuna but does so on the basis of impressive scholarship that includes archives, local gazetteers and oral histories, reports by foreign observers, and a broad array of Chinese and Western secondary sources. Her book is important for specialists on China and should interest everyone who studies popular rebellion.The Historian
This is an engaging read, which is presented in an original framework.Journal Of Asian and African Studies
A valuable contribution to understanding rural politics and peasant rebellion, especially in the modern era.China Journal
Readers interested in history from the bottom up will find much to like in Roxann Prazniak's new book.A fine study of social history.
Choice
Makes a positive contribution to understanding peasant protests during the last decade (c. 1900-1910) of Imperial China.— E. H. Kaplan, Western Washington University
Journal of Asian Studies
In the first detailed monograph in English on rural protests against the Qing New Policy state building reforms of 1901–11, Prazniak examines the behavior of many people like the Camel King and reflects on the significance of their collective action. . . . Prazniak offers a wealth of stimulating observations on village social dynamics in her five case studies.Ernest P. Young
A highly original exploration of an aspect of early twentieth-century Chinese history that has too long lacked full-scale treatment. The research is always impressive and the work is pioneering.Partha Chatterjee
A fascinating study of peasants in relation to modern state-building projects. Ambitious in its sweep and rich in detail, it offers new ways to think about the complexities of the Chinese revolution and the history of the subaltern classes.Journal Of Parapsychology, April2000
This book is an important contribution to the current literature on rural violence in the history of late imperial China. Prazniak has produced a well-researched study of peasant resistance in various parts of early twentieth-century China. Rich in insightful detail, highly readable and informative, this book is destined to become essential reading for those interested in peasant protests and popular uprisings in China and other parts of the world.CHOICE
Makes a positive contribution to understanding peasant protests during the last decade (c. 1900-1910) of Imperial China.Cai Shaoqing
A valuable historical work. . . . The author offers a fascinating description of the struggles of farmers against the constitutional reform of the late Qing government.Partha Chatterjee
A fascinating study of peasants in relation to modern state-building projects. Ambitious in its sweep and rich in detail, it offers new ways to think about the complexities of the Chinese revolution and the history of the subaltern classes.Ernest P. Young
A highly original exploration of an aspect of early twentieth-century Chinese history that has too long lacked full-scale treatment. The research is always impressive and the work is pioneering..Book Details
Published
January 1, 1999
Publisher
Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, Inc.
Pages
320
Format
Paperback
ISBN
9780847690077