Customer Reviews

The Problem of China (with footnotes and index)

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Russell explained in depth the power balance in China among British, French, Russia, US, Germany, and Japan in the late 19th century and early 20th century. As a peace lover, Russell disgusted at the Japanese invasion and control in China. He was able to explain the root cause of the Japanese aggression using the Race, Culture, Religion, and Industry development factors. As he stated the Chinese culture could not incubate aggression as contrary to the Japanese culture. Since the Far East culture root is deep and usually carries along for centuries, I believe his view still holds true in the 21st century. This book also explained the possibility of a 'Red China' in 1922. Because Russia was a traditional enemy of Japan in the Far East, Russell thought Russia would have a huge impact on 'Young China' because "one's enemy's enemy is usually a friend". I was so much impressed by Russell's social analysis and insightful thought on China. I wish he were still alive today so he could educate the Westerns about who is the true peace loving people in the Far East.

Bertrand Russell gives an in-depth account and analysis of the problems faced by China during the early 20th century. While analyzing the dynamics at play on the global front, he also attempts to identify the three most pressing issues which China faced internally--the need for an orderly government, industrial development under Chinese control and the spread of education. Notwithstanding the fact that he is a Westerner, he strives to debunk myths and prevailing misconceptions of the Chinese people. Russell writes elegantly and this book is indeed a remarkable account for those who wish to learn more about China.

In this book, Bertrand Russell expressed his ideas about both the positive and negative characters of Chinese. It can only be written after carefully thinking over what are in Chinese people's mind. And only you have been to China for over 6 months can you really understand what he really means. This is perhaps the best book for western people to learn the way of thinking of Chinese and the character of the Chinese people. After reading the book I think people will rebuild an idea about China, thus they can understand the Chinese people in American better.

Russel, a pacifist who was rightly disappointed with Europe after WW I, here examines in part the history and culture of China. His criticism is focused on the West and, at that time, its apparent lust for war and conquest. What Russel excludes from his narrative is that China itself was an empire in decline in the 19th and early 20th centuries. China was victimized, true enough, by rapacious Western colonialists, but much of what today we recognize as "China" was itself wrought through war and conquest. An interesting view from an early 20th century European view, but limited in scope and depth.