Qing Governors and Their Provinces

"His work focuses on addressing the disconnect between state-level demands and local-level events through the analysis of the appointment of and actions by governors, thereby creating a richer and much more detailed explanation of Qing governance . . ."

"The Qing court is clearly laid out horizontally and vertically, showing how the emperors met the demands of each particular province, and how changes were made over time. Guy has thus provided a three-dimensional picture of the provincial government."

"A treasure trove of information not only about the provincial bureaucracy, but also about the different regional histories in the first half of Qing rule."

"This book immediately establishes itself as one of the foundational works in the curriculum of Qing history, and should be ready by all students of that subject at the earliest opportunity."

"Through meticulous research . . . Guy grapples with the major tensions that criss-crossed the early Qing state . . . There is enough insight in these pages to satisfy even the most demanding Qing political junkie."

"Kent Guy's institutional study of the Qing governors is an exceptionally fine work, characterized by clarity of analysis and presentation and by depth and breadth of research."

"Careful scholarship and graceful prose mark this deep analysis of the administrative system of one of the most effective dynastic regimes in history. . . . Indispensible for historians of the Qing, this book should also be read by political scientists interested in contemporary Chinese governance and comparative imperial administration. Summing up: Essential."

"For specialists the book is a mine of information and a reminder of the scale and magnitude of the Qing state and its empire by 1800. For non-specialists, Guy's historical analysis of Manchu and Chinese provincial governors in perpetual motion is the proper tonic to put to the still smoldering conceits that survive from G. W. F. Hegel's, Karl Marx's, and Max Weber's fantasies of an unchanging 'Celestial Kingdom' going nowhere very fast."

"This extremely important, solid, carefully researched, highly intelligent, and well—informed work is a much—needed contribution to the field of late imperial Chinese history, and has implications as well for China’s subsequent and current history."

"The range of this book is astounding. Guy’s findings are significant both for deep historical understanding of his period of focus as well as for implications for the present day. This will be required reading, not only for scholars of the early and middle Qing period but also for those who seek historical background."