That Time We Were Beaten: A Panoramic Look at the First Opium War Between China and Britain

This book offers a panoramic interpretation of the Second Opium War between China and Britain from 1840 to 1842. Placing the war in its broader international context, it presents the balance of power as seen through the wide-angle lens of the mid-nineteenth-century world. It provides a detailed account of the relative strength of China and Britain, their preparations before the war, the course of the conflict, and its aftermath and impact, giving readers a comprehensive, multifaceted understanding of the Second Opium War. Through this panoramic interpretation, the author hopes to show how Western nations were accelerating toward modern civilization at the time, while China stumbled along in the darkness of autocracy. This contrast helps clarify the fundamental reason the Qing Empire suffered crushing defeats and repeated humiliations in the Opium War: it was not the ability of one emperor, the loyalty or treachery of a handful of ministers, or the will of the people. The root cause of modern China's weakness and repeated defeats was its rotten autocratic system. The book continues the distinctive style of the author's previous works, with sharp, humorous prose and a touch of internet-style banter that makes for a thoroughly satisfying read. The author's background in professional historical scholarship also lends the writing a strong focus on factual accuracy. Combined with the author's deep sense of social responsibility, this makes the book thought-provoking and deeply resonant. It is a historical work worth looking forward to.