To Change China: Western Advisers in China (Paperback)

by Jonathan D. Spence (Author) "On July 29, in the year 1644, Adam Schall, a Jesuit missionary residing in the city of Peking, sent a formal petition to the Emperor..." (more)
Key Phrases: astronomical bureau, United States, Chiang Kai-shek, Chinese Communists (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
"To change China" was the goal of foreign missionaries, soldiers, doctors, teachers, engineers, and revolutionaries for more than three hundred years. But the Chinese, while eagerly accepting Western technical advice, clung steadfastly to their own religious and cultural traditions. As a new era of relations between China and the United States begins, the tales in this volume will serve as cautionary histories for businessmen, diplomats, students, or any other foreigners who foolishly believe that they can transform this vast, enigmatic country.

"A fascinating popular book. . . . Mr. Spence has given these careers fascinating first-person detail. He is a skilled craftsman." (John K. Fairbank, The New York Review of Books)

Product Details

• Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: Penguin (Non-Classics) (April 30, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0140055282
• ISBN-13: 978-0140055283
• Product Dimensions: 7.7 x 5 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.3 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #101,264 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Brian Wayne Wells, Esquire, reviews "To Change China":, May 17, 1998

By A Customer

Jonathan Spence's book, "To Change China" chronicles only the narrow topic of the effect of western advisers to the various Chinese governments from 1620 to 1960. Because the topic is narrow the author can do the subject justice, which is the happy result in this book.

The book is a scholarly book which was published by Penguin Books. In the usual pattern of Penguin Books, "To Change China" does not let scholarship become another term for dry, difficult and boring reading. Spences' writing style is very readable and provides much valuable information to the student of modern China.

9 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Very Very Bad Stereotyping, May 6, 2004

By A Customer

This book is a collection of biographical sketches of several Westerners who went to China in order to try to change it. On that level, Prof. Spence does a credible job.

I didn't write this review because of that. I wrote this review in order to address the comments by "N Zhou Smith." His mocking use of the phrase "vely vely" is racist and bigoted. Obviously he is refering to the stereotype that Asians can't distinguish between "r" and "l" in pronounciation. This stereotype can only be accurately applied to the Japanese, it does NOT apply to the Chinese (they have NO trouble pronouncing either "r" or "l" sounds). At any rate, it is bigoted to put it mildly to use that stereotype even if it had been accurately applied. Japanese, Mandarin, and other Asian languages are radically different from Western (European) languages; it is idiotic to say the least to mock or humiliate people for having been born into a different culture/ethnicity. For shame.

It's ironic. Jonathan Spence wrote a book poking holes in the idea that Westerners can go to China in order to totally impose Western attitudes on Asian people. "N Zhou Smith" - if he really is in Beijing and hasn't been run out on a rail - may well have to learn these lessons the hard way.

0 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A never ending tale, February 12, 2005

By	James Windle "jimbo" (Canberra Australia) - See all my reviews

A bit dry but a good read. There is some facination about China that grips the west endlessly. China attracts mental moths to its bright flame and then burns them all up. All change agents of course want to change China into their own image - jesuits, missionaries - soldiers - politicians have all tried and all failed. The Chinese just dont want to play ball. I wonder why?