The Origins of the Boxer Uprising

by Joseph W. Esherick

Book Overview

In the summer of 1900, bands of peasant youths from the villages of north China streamed into Beijing to besiege the foreign legations, attracting the attention of the entire world. Joseph Esherick reconstructs the early history of the Boxers, challenging the traditional view that they grew from earlier anti-dynastic sects, and stressing instead the impact of social ecology and popular culture.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0520064593
• ISBN13: 9780520064591
• Release Date: August 1988
• Publisher: University of California Press
• Length: 410 Pages
• Weight: 1.44 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.1" x 6.0" x 8.9"

Customer Reviews

A valuable book on the boxer rebellion

This is excellent research coupled with great story-telling. Esherick clearly lays down the case for the Boxer phenomenon as emanating from the Shantung peninsula and not directly related to previous rebellions. It was the German missionaries and mismanagement by the Qing officials that ignited this specific outbreak. I didn't care much for the statistical handling of some of the data as I felt this aspect irrelevant to the book.

The definitive account of a misunderstood phenomenon.

Professor Esherick chronicles the origins of the uprising in stunning detail, debunking the popular notions and sensationalistic legends. Higest recommendtion.