A Biography of Cao Cao
Rafe de Crespigny is an Australian sinologist, now aged 90. He specialises in the history of the Han dynasty and the Three Kingdoms period. His…
By Jonathan D Spence
Here are 2 more excellent Chinese histories by Jonathan D Spence. Both explore the cultural interactions between the West and the Celestial empire. A fascinating…
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By William Hague
William Hague was a TORY party leader. His rise was meteoric after he impressed Margaret Thatcher with a fiery speech, age only 16 at a…
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Useful summary – Tale of Genji: A Reader’s Guide
This slim 190-page book is dated but useful to readers who want to know the Tale of Genji but unable to rise to the task…
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A labour of love – The Plum in the Golden Vase or, Chin P’ing Mei: Volume One: The Gathering
This is one of the 4 greatest novels of China. All were coincidentally written in the 16th century. This is the first of a 5-…
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Latest biography – Hitler: Downfall 1939-45
This 2nd volume biography is the latest biography on Hitler. The German original came out in 2018. The English translation in 2020. The strength of…
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Translation of the greatest novel of China
The 4 greatest novels of China were all written in the 16th century. Here are 2 of a 5- volume translation of Chin Ping Mei.…
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A villain or a victim – The Anne Boleyn Papers
This is an excellent compilation of letters and writings of Anne Boleyn and by her contemporaries on her. Readers interested in knowing whether it is…
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The invasion of Kuwait
The Gulf War caught the imagination of the world when the US and its allies came to the rescue of Kuwait when it was invaded…
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Western Expedition to China
The British tried to entice China to open its door to Western trade by sending Lord Macartney to visit Emperor Qian Long in 1792- 94.…
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By Cornelius Ryan
Cornelius Ryan is an Irishman. These three are his most famous books on WW II. Two of them have been made into famous movies. Why…
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