This book is one of a series of oral biographies of historical figures launched by the "Department of Chinese Oral History" at Columbia University in the United States. It was compiled and completed by Tang Degang with the assistance of Shen Yiyun. Shen Yiyun is the wife of Huang Yong, a prominent political figure in the early Republic of China; she has witnessed the turbulent Chinese politics in modern history. This book is a first-hand historical material for studying the political arena in the early Republic of China; it is of extremely high value.
Huang Yong had close relations with Sun Yat-sen, Chen Qimei, Huang Xing and others before and after the Revolution of 1911, and became sworn brothers with Chen Qimei and Chiang Kai-shek; but he was not a member of the Kuomintang. In the Beiyang government, he has held important positions successively. He was the man behind the scenes and played an important role in the "Beijing coup" launched by Feng Yuxiang. After Chiang Kai-shek established the National Government in Nanjing, he immediately became the political soul of the Chiang family. From this book of memories, we can understand Huang's character and way of dealing with the world; we can also witness that Huang's ideal is to continue to complete the unfinished business of the Revolution of 1911. We can also see the difficult situation of Huang Yong, a person who had a great influence on Chiang Kai-shek's governance; this also reflects the reasons for Chiang Kai-shek's final failure from the side.
Reader comments
In the form of oral history, this book vividly shows the changes in the political arena in the early Republic of China. The author Shen Yiyun witnessed many important events, giving us a more intuitive understanding of that era. Moreover, the historical details and character relationships in the book are described very wonderfully, and the writing is concise and smooth. I particularly like the part in the book about Huang Hao's approach to matters and pursuit of ideals on the political stage. It is worth reading.
It is beyond words that ordinary words can express. It allowed me to see between the lines of that era all aspects of the lives of a family with a good family tradition and tutoring, elders and young children. It was also the real life of a Chinese intellectual woman with conscience and morality. I was deeply moved.
In the form of oral history, this book vividly shows the changes in the political arena in the early Republic of China. The author Shen Yiyun witnessed many important events, giving us a more intuitive understanding of that era. Moreover, the historical details and character relationships in the book are described very wonderfully, and the writing is concise and smooth. I particularly like the part in the book about Huang Hao's approach to matters and pursuit of ideals on the political stage. It is worth reading.
It is beyond words that ordinary words can express. It allowed me to see between the lines of that era all aspects of the lives of a family with a good family tradition and tutoring, elders and young children. It was also the real life of a Chinese intellectual woman with conscience and morality. I was deeply moved.