China and the Manchus

"China and the Manchus" by Herbert A. Giles is a historical account written in the late 19th century. This work focuses on the rise and impact of the Manchu dynasty on China, detailing their origins, conquests, and governance throughout various historical periods. Giles, a well-respected scholar and professor of Chinese, aims to elucidate the significant events and transformations that occurred under Manchu rule, making it a rich resource for understanding this pivotal chapter in Chinese history. The opening of the book introduces the Nü-chêns, ancestors of the Manchus, outlining their initial struggles and interactions with neighboring tribes such as the Kitans. Giles describes the Nü-chêns' early violent customs and their dramatic rise in power, culminating with their victories over the Kitans, who had previously dominated them. The narrative establishes a backdrop of conflict and ambition, laying the foundation for the Nü-chêns' evolution into a formidable empire that would eventually lead to significant shifts in Chinese governance and culture. The chapter concludes with the transition of power from the Kitans to the Nü-chêns, setting the stage for the profound changes that would follow under the Manchu leadership. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Herbert Allen Giles was a British diplomat and sinologist who was the professor of Chinese at the University of Cambridge for 35 years. Giles was educated at Charterhouse School before becoming a British diplomat in China. He modified a Mandarin Chinese romanization system established by Thomas Wade, resulting in the widely known Wade–Giles Chinese romanization system. Among his many works were translations of the Analects of Confucius, the Lao Tzu , the Chuang Tzu, and, in 1892, the widely published A Chinese–English Dictionary.