Quest for Power

Discover the transformative period of China’s late-imperial history in "Quest for Power" by Stephen R. Halsey. Published by Harvard University Press in 2015, this compelling hardback spans 360 pages, offering a re-evaluation of the conventional narrative of decline during the Qing dynasty. Halsey expertly argues that rather than a simple descent into decadence, this era was marked by innovative state-building and strategic statecraft, emerging from the pressures of potential warfare with European and Japanese empires. His insightful analysis illuminates how the foundations laid during this tumultuous period are crucial to understanding China's contemporary great-power status. Delve into a thought-provoking exploration that challenges traditional views and unveils the dynamic evolution of one of the world's foremost nations.