Advance Notice for RAS Suzhou – Dates for May and June

The Royal Asiatic Society of Suzhou is hosting two more events before it breaks for the hottest, stickiest parts of the summer, to return in September:

On Thursday, May 19, 2011, 7pm
“The Scramble for China: Foreign Devils in the Qing Empire, 1832 – 1914“ is a history book that should be required reading for any foreigner interested in China or who wants to do business in the Middle Kingdom. Robert Bickers of Bristol University writes a riveting account of foreign adventures in China during one of the most dramatic episodes in modern history, detailing how the clash of arrogances between China and the West have shaped commercial and political relationships between the two ever since. The Royal Asiatic Society hosts Professor Bickers as he introduces some of the most defining characters and events in history.

On Sunday, June 19, 2011 at 4pm
Graham Earnshaw, CEO of Sinomedia (which produces the China Economic Review) and Publisher of Earnshaw Books, introduces his own recently published book, The Great Walk of China: Travels on Foot from Shanghai to Tibet (Blacksmith Books, Dec. 2010). Graham writes about his experiences, observations and conversations with Chinese as he just recently undertook a Great Walk across a fast-changing and amazingly diverse Chinese landscape. His journey fits squarely within the genre of great China walks in the fashion of Edwin Dingle and Isabella Bird, a hundred years ago. He’ll also be introducing the writings of some of those writers of a bygone era, which Earnshaw Books has re-published.

Both events will be held at The Suzhou Bookworm, Gunxiu Fang 77, Shi Quan Jie.

50 rmb for members; 70 rmb for non-members. Includes one glass of wine or beer.

For more information, contact Bill Dodson at +86 135 0613 6662.