Paul Kennedy, a historian and former colleague of Jonathan Spence at Yale, shares heartfelt stories about the late Sinologist. He recalls the humorous struggles of British soldiers in Germany and engaging discussions about Chinese history with Henry Kissinger. Kennedy reflects on Spence's unique research approach, intertwining rigorous scholarship with personal anecdotes. He also highlights how Spence bridged history and business by creatively leveraging archaeological projects for corporate interests, emphasizing the lasting impact of Spence's work.
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Drunk Soldiers
Jonathan Spence, stationed in Germany during the Cold War, found drunk British soldiers more frightening than Russian troops.
He had to manage brawls and their aftermath, shaping his view of history's human dimension.
insights INSIGHT
Atmospheric History
Spence mastered atmospheric historical writing by grounding novelistic narratives in meticulous archival research.
He combined big-picture history with small, atmospheric details, evidenced by books like Matteo Ricci.
question_answer ANECDOTE
Meticulous Research
In The Question of Who, Spence details a Chinese man's journey to France, blending archival research with on-the-ground exploration.
He visited archives, retraced Hu's route, and even considered the topography to create an immersive narrative.
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Jonathan Spence's "The Question of Who" tells the captivating story of Hu, a Chinese man who served as a translator for a French Jesuit returning to Europe in the 18th century. The book masterfully blends meticulous archival research with a narrative style reminiscent of a novel. Spence's detailed descriptions of the journey, from the coast of Brazil to the French countryside, immerse the reader in the historical context. The narrative highlights the cultural exchange and challenges faced by Hu, offering a unique perspective on the interactions between China and the West. The book showcases Spence's ability to weave together seemingly disparate sources to create a compelling and insightful historical account.
The memory palace of Matteo Ricci
Jonathan Spence
The Memory Palace of Matteo Ricci is a rich narrative about the life of Matteo Ricci, a Jesuit missionary who spent decades in India and China during the late 16th century. The book explores Ricci's missionary efforts, his use of mnemonic devices, and his interactions with Chinese culture. It juxtaposes the worlds of Counter-Reformation Europe and Ming China, offering a unique perspective on global history through the lens of Ricci's extraordinary life.
The Rise of Modern China
The Rise of Modern China
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Jonathan Spence
Jonathan Spence's "The Rise of Modern China" provides a comprehensive overview of China's transformation from a traditional agrarian society to a modern nation-state. The book traces the key events and figures that shaped China's history, from the Opium Wars to the rise of the Communist Party. Spence's narrative style makes complex historical processes accessible to a wide audience. He skillfully integrates political, economic, and social factors to create a nuanced understanding of China's development. The book remains a valuable resource for anyone seeking to understand the forces that have shaped modern China.
Prepare a nice cup of tea and put your feet up for a special episode of stories and anecdotes about the late American historian and Sinologist Jonathan Spence, as told by his friend and colleague Paul Kennedy.
He takes us through
Why the worst thing about being stationed in Germany was the drunk British soldiers
Conversations about Chinese history with Henry Kissinger
How archaeological digs win you contracts with provincial governments
Spence's approach to research and scholarship
Outro Music: 'This Map' from the opera The Memory Palace of Matteo Ricci (!!!) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=71cJopakfAw
Here's a video recording of the whole opera: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_susz11wE9Q
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