Description: This book illuminates the cultural legacy of sovereign thinking that emerged from the violent meetings between the British Empire and the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911). Liu demonstrates how the collision of imperial will and competing interests led to the invention of "China," "the East," "the West," and the notion of "the world" in recent history.
Brief description: Lydia H. Liu is Helmut F. Stern Professor of Chinese Studies, University of Michigan.
Review Quotes: Liu offers an innovative analysis of the relationship between language and empire. Drawing on 'the semiotic turn of international relations, ' she demonstrates how discourses on the meaning of 'sovereignty' shaped relations between the British Empire and China throughout the 19th century...The study's ambitious and rewarding interdisciplinary approach breaks new ground and will be embraced by scholars from a variety of fields.--D. P. Gorman "Choice" (3/1/2005 12:00:00 AM)