China Illustrated: Western Views of the Middle Kingdom

From the mid-16th century to the beginning of World War II, foreigners learned a great deal about China through trade contacts. This lavishly illustrated social history highlights the lives and lifestyles of the merchants, mercenaries, missionaries, adventurers and refugees who came to China during this period, set against the backdrop of China’s great cities and the ancient culture of its people.
A short commentary on the history of the period sets the scene in each chapter, allowing readers to follow the dramatic changes that took place through these turbulent years. The informative text and hundreds of images, many never published before, brilliantly capture the atmosphere of China throughout the centuries.