Description:
Demonstrating how past American images of China are vital to understanding the nature and significance of those which circulate today, this volume seeks to highlight that American images of China are responsible for constructing certain truths and realities about that country and its people and introduces the understanding that these images have always been inextricable from the enactment and justification of US China policies in Washington.
Review Quotes:
'This is a captivating alternative history of US-China relations that span four centuries. Skilfully weaving together two hitherto mutually neglecting literatures in this field: the imagery literature and the policy literature, this important book fills a critical gap in our knowledge of how certain American constructions of China periodically resurface across time and how US China policy is both enabled by, and reproduces, those China imageries.' - Chengxin Pan, Deakin University
'Oliver Turner's book is the first to show how socially constructed images of China and Chinese people have come to systematically impact US policy towards that country across the entire history of Sino-US relations. At a time when China is beginning to be globally assertive, politically and militarily, Dr Turner's book is an important exploration of one of the contextual reasons why we should be pessimistic about the future of Sino-US geo-political relations. This is an excellent book that deserves to be widely read.' - Jeffrey Henderson, Professor of International Development, University of Bristol
'The book is based on a dissertation; the research is comprehensive, and the bibliography is excellent. Scholars worldwide will find this work useful, as will policy makers in the US and elsewhere. Turner's conclusions are thoughtful and point to the need for Americans to better understand China as the two nations progress through the 21st century. A splendid addition to the reading lists of advanced seminars in Sino-American relations ... Summing Up: Highly recommended. Graduate students, faculty, professionals.' -D. L. Wilson, Southern Illinois University Carbondale, CHOICE