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Champions Day
The End of Old Shanghai
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Check link for latest rating. ( 88 ratings, 17 reviews)
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Format: Hardback
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Champions Day
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See moreA triptych of a single day revealing the history and foreshadowing the future of a complex and cosmopolitan city in a world at war.
Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and
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Description
November 12, 1941: war and revolution are in the air. At the Shanghai Race Club, the city's elite prepare to face off their best horses and most nimble jockeys in the annual Champions Day races. Across town and amid tight security, others celebrated the birth of Sun Yat-Sen in a new city centre meant to challenge European imperialism. Thousands more Shanghai residents from all walks of life attended the funeral of China's wealthiest woman, the Chinese-French widow of a Baghdadi Jewish businessman. But the biggest crowd of all gathered at the track; no one knew it, but Champions Day heralded the end of a European Shanghai.
Through this colourful snapshot of the day's events, the rich and complex history that led to them, and a cast of characters as diverse as the city itself, James Carter provides a kaleidoscopic portrait of a time and a place that still speaks to relations between China and the West today.
Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?
Reviews for Champions Day highlight James Carter's perceptive storytelling as he captures the essence of Shanghai through its historical racecourse, offering insights into the city's past. His engaging prose and thorough research create a vivid portrayal of pre-revolutionary China, making him a compelling guide to the era. The book is recognised as a cautionary tale about the consequences of exploiting the environment and the onset of war and revolution.
Book Details
INFORMATION
ISBN: 9780393635942
Publisher: WW Norton & Co
Format: Hardback
Date Published: 17 July 2020
Country: United States
Imprint: WW Norton & Co
Illustration: 53 illustrations
Audience: General / adult
DIMENSIONS
Spine width: 30.0mm
Width: 165.0mm
Height: 244.0mm
Weight: 575g
Pages: 352
About the Author
James Carter, professor of history at Saint Joseph’s University, is the author of two previous books on Chinese history and is a Fellow of the National Committee on US-China Relations. He lives in Ewing, New Jersey.
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