Peking 1900: The Boxer Rebellion

Osprey Campaign #85

by Peter Harrington, Michael Perry (Illustrations)

Osprey's study of the violent Boxer Rebellion, which swept northern China in 1900. The Boxers were a secret society who sought to rid their country of the pernicious influence of the foreign powers who had gradually acquired a stranglehold on China. With the connivance of the Imperial Court they laid siege to the legation quarter of Peking. Trapped inside were an assortment of diplomats, civilians and a small number of troops. They were all Sir Claude Macdonald, the British Minister in Peking, had to defend against thousands of hostile Boxers and Imperial troops. It would now be a race against time. Could the rag-tag defenders hold out long enough for the gathering relief force to reach them? This book describes the desperate series of events as the multinational force rushed to their rescue.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Military History, China, War

96 pages, Paperback

First published May 25, 2001

About the author

There are several authors with this name on Goodreads.


Peter Harrington, 1954-....

Reviews

[Checkman · Rating 3 out of 5]

I would argue that it's impossible to read about the various imperial/colonial campaigns and battles that run from the 18th into the early 20th century and not have mixed emotions. On one hand they are often very dramatic and even thrilling since it seems that so often the Imperial powers ran things on the cheap meaning small numbers of troops taking on huge numbers of opponents. On the other hand, one is studying military operations in which nations are being conquered for their resources, and which racist attitudes also play a part. I have read many a book and watched more than a few movies about such times. "Peking: 1900" is one such publication.

Fairly recent Osprey publication about the Boxer Rebellion. Published in 2001 the book acknowledges that many of the roots of the conflict can be traced to the Imperial policies of the great powers (Great Britain, Germany, France, Japan, United States, Italy, Russia) and their involvement with China's internal politics. There is also acknowledgement that after the relief of the foreign delegation in Peking many of the troops of the allied nations behaved reprehensively towards the Chinese.

And yet it's still a well written account of what was a dramatic conflict with numerous illustrations and many maps to help make sense of the course of events. It doesn't have the length to be an in-depth historical account of the rebellion. It's a heavily illustrated survey or chronicle and is a good start for anyone who is curious. I recommend it.

[James Crabtree · Rating 4 out of 5]

When foreigners began to be murdered by a group called the "Boxers" in China the great powers of the time responded with a multinational effort to rescue the diplomats and traders threatened by the group... especially those in Peking. The author does a good job of discussing the events which led up to Chinese hostility to the presence of foreigners and to the actual events (and rumors!) which resulted in intervention. An all-but-forgotten chapter in military history today, but still a neat read. Well-illustrated with photographs, maps and original artwork.

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

Plot Development The plot of this work develops gradually, without any sudden jumps or unexpected turns. The transitions between chapters are logical and consistent with the general theme. Readers who prefer a methodical approach to storytelling will find it interesting. Follow the link to see a full breakdown of the plot structure. >>> https://script.google.com/macros/s/AK...

[Fredrick Danysh · Rating 3 out of 5]

At the beginning if the twenith century China was dominated by European powers that had outposts in the country. When the dowdage ruler of China started a rebellion, she attempted to defeat the diplomatic legations in Peking. The Europeam powers and America resisted.

[Cimuchowski · Rating 3 out of 5]

A short, but serviceable, book on a relatively unknown period of East Asian history.