

New Books in East Asian Studies
Marshall Poe
Interviews with Scholars of East Asia about their New BooksSupport our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/east-asian-studies
Episodes
Mentioned books

Aug 2, 2024 • 1h
Forgotten Ummah--Muslims in China
In this engaging discussion, Darren Blyer, a sociocultural anthropologist, delves into his book on Uyghur Muslims and the interplay of Islamophobia and capitalism in East Turkestan. He highlights the historical struggles of Uyghurs, emphasizing the severe human rights violations they face. The conversation explores state narratives labeling Uyghurs as terrorists while drawing parallels to global patterns of marginalization. Blyer also discusses the importance of solidarity and friendship within the Uyghur community as a form of resistance against ongoing violence.

Aug 1, 2024 • 51min
Everyday Architecture in Context: Public Markets in Hong Kong (1842-1981) (Chinese U of Hong Kong Press, 2023)
Dr. Carmen C. M. Tsui, an architect and urban historian from Lingnan University, discusses her book on the historical significance of Hong Kong's public markets from 1842 to 1981. She examines how these everyday structures mirror the city’s evolving socio-political landscape. The conversation dives into the impact of government policies on market vendors, the gender dynamics that favored male traders, and the architectural shifts prompted by health crises. Tsui reveals how markets serve as a microcosm of urban history and community life.

Jul 31, 2024 • 48min
On Sino-Vietnamese Border Relations
Dr. Qingfei Yin, an Assistant Professor of International History at LSE, delves into the intricate history of Sino-Vietnamese relations and the significance of borderlands. She discusses her upcoming book, which unveils how Cold War dynamics influenced state-building and regional interactions. The conversation highlights grassroots perspectives, the complexities of collaboration and competition, and the evolving nature of borders in East Asia. Dr. Yin also critiques traditional narratives, emphasizing the importance of peripheral nations in global historical contexts.

Jul 30, 2024 • 1h 25min
Matthew H. Sommer, "The Fox Spirit, the Stone Maiden, and Other Transgender Histories from Late Imperial China" (Columbia UP, 2024)
Matthew H. Sommer, a historian specializing in late imperial China, discusses his intriguing book on transgender histories. He delves into six court cases that illuminate complex gender identities and societal perceptions in Qing China. Sommer highlights how individuals navigated gender roles against legal frameworks, showcasing the interplay of culture and identity. He also touches on themes of sorcery, fox spirit mediums, and the narrative of gender nonconformity, ultimately revealing rich insights into the historical context of LGBTQ+ experiences in East Asia.

Jul 29, 2024 • 1h 12min
Kate McDonald on Asian Mobility History as Labor History
In this discussion, Kate McDonald, an Associate Professor of History at UC Santa Barbara, explores Asian mobility from a labor perspective. She examines the history of human-powered transport, particularly rickshaws in Japan, and critiques the narratives of mechanization that overlook worker experiences. McDonald shares insights from her research projects, revealing how transportation has shaped labor movements and economic structures. Additionally, she reflects on the complex interplay of mobility, identity, and historical narratives in the context of colonialism.

Jul 28, 2024 • 57min
Kristie Flannery, "Piracy and the Making of the Spanish Pacific World" (U Pennsylvania Press, 2024)
Dr. Kristie Flannery, an expert on Spanish colonial rule in the Philippines, discusses her groundbreaking work on piracy's role in shaping the Spanish Pacific World. She reveals how colonial officials and missionaries allied with Indigenous Filipinos and Chinese migrants to combat piracy. The conversation delves into the unexpected influence of Catholic priests in legitimizing imperial power. Flannery also explores the tumultuous Sino-Spanish relations, highlighting the fluctuating fates of Chinese immigrants amid piracy and colonial tensions.

Jul 27, 2024 • 1h 15min
Christina Yi et al., "Passing, Posing, Persuasion: Cultural Production and Coloniality in Japan's East Asian Empire" (U Hawaii Press, 2023)
In this engaging discussion, Christina Yi delves into her work on cultural production and coloniality in Japan's East Asian Empire. She unpacks the paradox of 'passing' versus 'posing,' revealing how these concepts highlight the complexities of identity for marginalized groups like Zainichi Koreans. Yi explores the role of art, theater, and film in shaping narratives of assimilation while resisting imperial propaganda. The conversation also touches on the tensions between inclusion and oppression, prompting listeners to reconsider the nuanced dynamics of culture and identity under colonial rule.

Jul 25, 2024 • 1h 8min
Ed Pulford, "Past Progress: Time and Politics at the Borders of China, Russia, and Korea" (Stanford UP, 2024)
Author and researcher Ed Pulford discusses the collapse of progressive endeavors in the China-Russia-North Korea borderlands, exploring post-socialist politics, temporal synchrony in the socialist era, and the pre-revolutionary period. The podcast delves into the complexities of historical narratives, challenges in restructuring causality, and the concept of progress in Chinese society. Scholars are pushing boundaries in understanding the relationship between time and politics in the region, examining the impact of migrations on perceptions of progress.

Jul 24, 2024 • 50min
Mark Baker, "Pivot of China: Spatial Politics and Inequality in Modern Zhengzhou" (Harvard Asia Center, 2024)
Historian Mark Baker discusses spatial politics and inequality in modern China, focusing on Zhengzhou's development disparities. Topics cover urban growth, railroad impact, Great Leap Forward inequality, and future research plans on WWII in China.

Jul 23, 2024 • 30min
Muslim Literacies in China
Dr. Ibrar Bhatt discusses heritage literacies of Chinese Muslims, exploring semiotics of Sino-Muslim heritage literacy. Topics include signs of 'Muslimness' in linguistic landscape, commercial and religious literacy interplay in Muslim history, and translingual heritage practices among Chinese Muslims.