The Gate of Heavenly Peace: The Chinese and Their Revolution [Paperback]

Jonathan D. Spence (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 28, 1982

Chronicles the history of the Chinese Revolution, focusing on the people and events of modern Chinese history, the writings of modern Chinese authors, the issues facing the People's Republic, and more.

Product Details

• Paperback: 560 pages
• Publisher: Penguin (Non-Classics) (October 28, 1982)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0140062793
• ISBN-13: 978-0140062793
• Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 5 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #436,922 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

34 of 34 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A truly remarkable and unique book, March 16, 2000

By 

Reader - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Gate of Heavenly Peace: The Chinese and Their Revolution (Paperback)

This book by Spence is a remarkable and unique description of the Chinese political and social revolution that took place from the end days of the Empire until decades into the PRC. Instead of focusing on already well documented and researched historical figures such as Sun Yatsen and Mao Zedong, Spence provides us the opportunity to look at the "other" figures that greatly shaped the transformation of China yet never heard of by most people. Figures such as Lu Xun, Ding Ling, Hu Shi, Chen Duxiu, Li Dazhao, etc...Spence does focus a lot on names and dates as the reviewer below notes, but it's not something people should cringe about. Spence's main goal was to focus on individual ideas and the transformation of intellectual thought and this, I thought, was acheived very well. One thing I have a problem with is that Spence focuses almost exclusively from the 1890's to the early 1930's. The last 50 years of intellectual thought which this book claim to cover is very sparse and almost non-existant, and I guess either the author overextended himself or probably because possessing intellectual thought during the PRC era was not very conducive to one's health. Anyway, this book is nevertheless an excellent source for understanding Chinese poltical and social thought during the early 20th century.

21 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars History for those who (think they) don't like history, June 15, 2002

By 

Bradley Dow (Schenectady, NY USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Gate of Heavenly Peace: The Chinese and Their Revolution (Paperback)

A brilliant evocation of 85 years of modern Chinese history. It has been said by some critics that this is a book to read for research and not for pleasure -- an opinion I would call a neat inversion of the true situation (as I saw it, anyway): I bought the book as a research tool and, though I soon found I couldn't use it for that purpose, became utterly engrossed in Spence's fascinating narrative all the same. If you're a lover of well-written biographical history, buy this book.

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A fascinating history of 20th century China., May 27, 1998

By 

[e-mail] (Los Angeles, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Gate of Heavenly Peace: The Chinese and Their Revolution (Paperback)

Contrary to its nomenclature, The Gate of Heavenly Peace is rather the proscenium for revolutionary dramas in the quest for that state of grace. Throughout this century it has been the stage for countless demonstrations, violent political struggles, bloodshed and victory parades. Jonathan Spence gives us a rare look at the political history of modern China from 1895 through the 20th century to 1980 through the eyes of scholars and philosophers. An extraordinary and interesting introduction to circumstances and conditions, revolutionary thought and actions evolving through the decades. From factors leading to the fall of the Qing dynasty, the restless struggles of leading revolutionary factions vying for cooperation of powerful warlords and foreign powers, and the inroads made by Japan into China--virtual industrial economic colonization with Japanese military support - to the eventual victory of Mao Zedong, the ingenious telling of China's turbulent history through the lives and thoughts of the leading philosophers and writers of the day makes for a refreshing initiation to Chinese history without being bombarded with political dogma and rhetoric. Well worth reading.