{"title":"Tonio Andrade","description":"\u003cp\u003eDiscover the insightful works of \u003cem\u003eTonio Andrade\u003c\/em\u003e, an esteemed author and historian renowned for his expertise in Asian and global history. His captivating books explore pivotal moments and fascinating narratives, offering readers a deep dive into historical events with rich detail and comprehensive research.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eThe Gunpowder Age\u003c\/em\u003e delves into the transformative role of gunpowder in military and global history, tracing its impact from ancient China to the modern world. This illuminating book reveals how gunpowder influenced warfare and power balances across continents.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eThe Last Embassy\u003c\/em\u003e presents a riveting account of the diplomatic and cultural intersections between Europe and China during a time of political upheaval. Andrade's meticulous research offers an engrossing view of the encounters and exchanges that shaped the early modern period.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eEach book in this collection sits comfortably in the \u003cstrong\u003eHistory \u0026amp; Military\u003c\/strong\u003e category, making them essential reads for enthusiasts and scholars alike. Tonio Andrade brings history to life with his eloquent narrative style, ensuring that readers gain both knowledge and enjoyment from his thoroughly researched works.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"the-gunpowder-age-by-tonio-andrade-9780691178141","title":"The Gunpowder Age","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Chinese invented gunpowder and began exploring its military uses as early as the 900s, four centuries before the technology passed to the West. But by the early 1800s, China had fallen so far behind the West in gunpowder warfare that it was easily defeated by Britain in the Opium War of 1839-42.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eWhat happened? In \u003cem\u003eThe Gunpowder Age\u003c\/em\u003e, Tonio Andrade offers a compelling new answer, opening a fresh perspective on a key question of world history: why did the countries of Western Europe surge to global importance starting in the 1500s while China slipped behind?\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eHistorians have long argued that gunpowder weapons helped Europeans establish global hegemony. Yet the inhabitants of what is today China not only invented guns and bombs but also, as Andrade shows, continued to innovate in gunpowder technology through the early 1700s—much longer than previously thought.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eWhy, then, did China become so vulnerable? Andrade argues that one significant reason is that it was out of practice fighting wars, having enjoyed nearly a century of relative peace since 1760. Indeed, he demonstrates that China—like Europe—was a powerful military innovator, particularly during times of great warfare, such as the violent century starting after the Opium War, when the Chinese once again quickly modernised their forces.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eToday, China is simply returning to its old position as one of the world's great military powers. By showing that China's military dynamism was deeper, longer lasting, and more quickly recovered than previously understood, \u003cem\u003eThe Gunpowder Age\u003c\/em\u003e challenges long-standing explanations of the so-called Great Divergence between the West and Asia.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"NewSouth Books","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46850085421292,"sku":"9780691178141","price":73.99,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/1768553482434.jpg?v=1759079054"},{"product_id":"the-last-embassy-by-tonio-andrade-9780691177113","title":"The Last Embassy","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFrom the acclaimed author of\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cem\u003eThe Gunpowder Age\u003c\/em\u003e, a book that casts new light on the history of China and the West at the turn of the nineteenth century.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eGeorge Macartney's disastrous 1793 mission to China plays a central role in the prevailing narrative of modern Sino-European relations. Summarily dismissed by the Qing court, Macartney failed in nearly all of his objectives, perhaps setting the stage for the Opium Wars of the nineteenth century and the mistrust that still marks the relationship today. But not all European encounters with China were disastrous. \u003cem\u003eThe Last Embassy\u003c\/em\u003e tells the story of the Dutch mission of 1795, bringing to light a dramatic but little-known episode that transforms our understanding of the history of China and the West.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eDrawing on a wealth of archival material, Tonio Andrade paints a panoramic and multifaceted portrait of an age marked by intrigues and war. China was on the brink of rebellion. In Europe, French armies were invading Holland. Enduring a harrowing voyage, the Dutch mission was to be the last European diplomatic delegation ever received in the traditional Chinese court. Andrade shows how, in contrast to the British emissaries, the Dutch were men with deep knowledge of Asia who respected regional diplomatic norms and were committed to understanding China on its own terms.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eBeautifully illustrated with sketches and paintings by the Dutch delegation and by Chinese artists, \u003cem\u003eThe Last Embassy\u003c\/em\u003e reveals that the Qing court, mischaracterised as arrogant and narrow-minded by British diplomats and historians, was in fact open, flexible, curious, and very cosmopolitan.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"NewSouth Books","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46850325381356,"sku":"9780691177113","price":74.99,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/1758273482434.jpg?v=1759081328"},{"product_id":"the-last-embassy-by-tonio-andrade-9780691270753","title":"The Last Embassy","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eFrom the acclaimed author of\u003c\/b\u003e \u003ci\u003eThe Gunpowder Age\u003c\/i\u003e,\u003cb\u003e a book that casts new light on the history of China and the West at the turn of the nineteenth century.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eGeorge Macartney's disastrous 1793 mission to China plays a central role in the prevailing narrative of modern Sino-European relations. Summarily dismissed by the Qing court, Macartney failed in nearly all of his objectives, perhaps setting the stage for the Opium Wars of the nineteenth century and the mistrust that still marks the relationship today. But not all European encounters with China were disastrous. \u003ci\u003eThe Last Embassy\u003c\/i\u003e tells the story of the Dutch mission of 1795, bringing to light a dramatic but little-known episode that transforms our understanding of the history of China and the West.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eDrawing on a wealth of archival material, Tonio Andrade paints a panoramic and multifaceted portrait of an age marked by intrigues and war. China was on the brink of rebellion. In Europe, French armies were invading Holland. Enduring a harrowing voyage, the Dutch mission was to be the last European diplomatic delegation ever received in the traditional Chinese court. Andrade shows how, in contrast to the British emissaries, the Dutch were men with deep knowledge of Asia who respected regional diplomatic norms and were committed to understanding China on its own terms.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eBeautifully illustrated with sketches and paintings by the Dutch delegation and by Chinese artists, \u003ci\u003eThe Last Embassy\u003c\/i\u003e reveals that the Qing court, mischaracterised as arrogant and narrow-minded by British diplomats and historians, was in fact open, flexible, curious, and very cosmopolitan.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"NewSouth Books","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47000790892780,"sku":"9780691270753","price":44.99,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/2694673482434.jpg?v=1763305177"}],"url":"https:\/\/bookhero.pro\/collections\/tonio-andrade.oembed","provider":"Book Hero","version":"1.0","type":"link"}