The First Congress

Name: The First Congress
ISBN: 9787510833052

李德林Jiuzhou Press · ChinaNov 2021

3.6

Word count: 209K words
Chapters: 32
ISBN: 9787510833052

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Summary

Engels observed in 'Ludwig Feuerbach and the End of Classical German Philosophy' that few of the things people hope for ever come true as expected; many anticipated ends come into mutual conflict and contradiction, or prove unattainable from the very start, or lack the means of realization. Thus countless individual wishes and actions clash in the historical field, producing a situation entirely similar to that which prevails in unconscious nature. Between 1910 and 1911, the Qing dynasty's Provincial Assembly met to prepare constitutional reform and promote a constitutional monarchy, but the outcome disappointed the nation, and the constitutionalists, in despair, turned to republicanism. Though the dynasty ultimately collapsed, the top-level designs and governing ideals of the Assembly's elites in politics, education, finance, and the economy left a rich legacy worth borrowing from.

Editor's review

The First Parliament is a work of historical reportage by financial journalist Li Delin, focusing on the turbulent constitutional experiments of the late Qing and early Republic. Rather than a mere recitation of facts, it draws on detailed sources and vivid narrative to examine the brief yet far-reaching parliamentary practice from the opening of the Advisory Council in 1910 to the founding of the first parliament in 1913, set against the broader backdrop of late-Qing reform, the 1911 Revolution, and the birth of the Republic. With a financial journalist's keen eye, the author probes the maneuvering, compromise, and conflict among various forces in institution-building, revealing the inner logic and practical dilemmas of early Chinese parliamentary politics.

The book's reading value lies in its distinctive angle and narrative depth. It goes beyond the grand narratives of traditional revolutionary or political history, focusing on the specifics of floor debates, the composition of members, rules of procedure, and even funding sources, allowing readers to glimpse the overlooked 'technical' experiments and setbacks in China's political modernization. Li Delin is skilled at turning complex historical events into highly readable stories while maintaining rigorous scholarship; the book cites numerous contemporary newspapers, archives, and participants' memoirs, making this period of history vivid and full-blooded. For understanding the complexity of China's modern political transformation, the enormous tension between ideals and reality, and the localization challenges of institutional transplantation, this book offers a highly illuminating case study. It reminds us that no institution can take root without specific historical circumstances and human activity.

Who it's for

A good fit for

Readers interested in the history of modern Chinese political institutions, especially late-Qing and early-Republican constitutional reform
Readers who like to understand macro-history through details and personal stories
Social science enthusiasts hoping to learn about the early practice and dilemmas of Chinese parliamentary politics
Readers with certain expectations of historical reportage—wanting both solid sources and good readability

Not a good fit for

Serious historians seeking purely academic monographs or rigorous theoretical analysis
Readers looking for light, entertaining historical stories

Reading tips

Read alongside background materials on the late-Qing constitutional movement and the 1911 Revolution for a more complete framework
Pay attention to the book's portrayal of specific parliamentary groups, deliberation processes, and public reactions to appreciate history's many facets
Consider whether the political issues revealed a century ago have hidden echoes in certain debates today

About the publisher

Jiuzhou Press China · Founded in 1993

Jiuzhou Press is a comprehensive publisher with humanities, social sciences, and classic works as important publishing directions, maintaining a sustained focus on philosophy, history, literature, and social culture. Its catalogue includes works by modern literary masters such as Xiao Hong and Lu Xun, as well as intellectual and art history works by Xu Fuguan, including A History of Chinese Theories of Human Nature: Pre-Qin Volume, A History of Han Thought, and The Spirit of Chinese Art: A Study of Shitao. It also translates and introduces overseas academic works such as Peter H. Wilson's The Thirty Years War: Europe's Tragedy and Peter Suber's The Case of the Speluncean Explorers, and covers cross-cultural exchange themes such as From Dunhuang to Samarkand. Its publishing character lies in balancing the organization of original texts with academic translation, forming relatively stable author and title resources in categories including philosophy, military affairs, theory, and social culture. More complete information about the press's publishing history and plans is limited in publicly available sources; this summary is based only on the titles in the catalogue.

版权信息
序言·世间已无老佛爷
天子一号案·上
天子一号案·下
再见状元郎
新闻的界限
议会是江湖
泣血的国会·一
泣血的国会·二
泣血的国会·三
泣血的国会·四
辫子里的刀·上
辫子里的刀·下
昭雪六君子·一
昭雪六君子·二
昭雪六君子·三
昭雪六君子·四
致命的饥荒·上
致命的饥荒·下
亡国的股灾·一
亡国的股灾·二
亡国的股灾·三
亡国的股灾·四
亡国的股灾·五
弹劾军机案·一
弹劾军机案·二
弹劾军机案·三
弹劾军机案·四
弹劾军机案·五
天朝的预算·上
天朝的预算·下
参考文献

FAQ

Is this book a novel or a work of history?

It is a work of reportage based on extensive historical documents, belonging to nonfiction. The author presents history in a narrative style, but the core facts are supported by historical sources; it is not a fictional novel.

What is the book's Douban rating?

According to available information, the book has received high marks on Douban, rated above 8.0 (the exact score may change), with readers generally acknowledging its documentary value and readability.

What is the background of author Li Delin?

Li Delin is a well-known financial writer and media professional, author of such historical-financial works as Hidden War 1840. His journalist background makes him adept at mining stories from historical sources and presenting complex issues in an accessible way.

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About the author

李德林 Author · Chinese · 1978

Li Delin, born in Nanchong, Sichuan, in 1978, is a Chinese financial writer and host. He formerly served as a member of the editorial board and deputy editor-in-chief of Securities Market Weekly, and in 2014 founded the financial new media outlet "Delin Society," where he hosts Delin Explains. His writing spans biography, management, history, and social fiction, with 14 works held in the collection. He approaches contemporary and historical subjects from a financial perspective: on one hand, he traces prominent figures and corporate intrigue in capital markets, as in The Fall of the Richest Series, The Truth About Gome as I Know It, and The Goldman Sachs Conspiracy; on the other, he reexamines the Opium War through a financial lens in works such as Secret War 1840, while extending his narrative range through novels including The Bottom Card and Imperial Vicissitudes. His writing emphasizes documentary research and a questioning outlook, shaping a distinctive style between financial reportage and historical writing.