Imperial Twilight

In this book, Stephen R. Platt explores the complex origins of the Opium War, detailing the early attempts by Western traders and missionaries to 'open' China.

The narrative focuses on the period leading up to the war, highlighting the struggles of China's imperial rulers, the role of Confucian scholars, and the eventual descent into one of the most unjust wars in imperial history.

The book features a cast of British, Chinese, and American characters and has significant implications for understanding current Sino-Western relations.