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Champions Day

The End of Old Shanghai
4.03 goodreads logo

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( 88 ratings, 17 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
Champions Day by James Carter provides a vivid recounting of the dramatic events in 1941 Shanghai, a melting pot of international tensions. As the world teeters on the brink of global conflict, the book captures a vibrant, chaotic city hosting a fateful horse-racing event attended by a colourful mix of gamblers, gangsters, and guerillas. Carter intricately paints the social and political landscape, offering insights into the life and tensions of Shanghai just as the world was about to enter a significant turning point in history.
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Format: Hardback
$5499
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

This book may appeal to you if you're fascinated by the intricate tapestry of history during a time of great change. You'll enjoy exploring the transformative events that reshaped societies, especially those who appreciate the interplay between historical narratives and military developments.

Book Hero thinking about your next read

A triptych of a single day revealing the history and foreshadowing the future of a complex and cosmopolitan city in a world at war.

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

November 12, 1941: war and revolution are in the air. At the Shanghai Race Club, the city's elite prepare to face off their best horses and most nimble jockeys in the annual Champions Day races. Across town and amid tight security, others celebrated the birth of Sun Yat-Sen in a new city centre meant to challenge European imperialism. Thousands more Shanghai residents from all walks of life attended the funeral of China's wealthiest woman, the Chinese-French widow of a Baghdadi Jewish businessman. But the biggest crowd of all gathered at the track; no one knew it, but Champions Day heralded the end of a European Shanghai.

Through this colourful snapshot of the day's events, the rich and complex history that led to them, and a cast of characters as diverse as the city itself, James Carter provides a kaleidoscopic portrait of a time and a place that still speaks to relations between China and the West today.

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

Reviews for Champions Day highlight James Carter's perceptive storytelling as he captures the essence of Shanghai through its historical racecourse, offering insights into the city's past. His engaging prose and thorough research create a vivid portrayal of pre-revolutionary China, making him a compelling guide to the era. The book is recognised as a cautionary tale about the consequences of exploiting the environment and the onset of war and revolution.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9780393635942

Publisher: WW Norton & Co

Format: Hardback

Date Published: 17 July 2020

Country: United States

Imprint: WW Norton & Co

Illustration: 53 illustrations

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 30.0mm

Width: 165.0mm

Height: 244.0mm

Weight: 575g

Pages: 352

About the Author

James Carter, professor of history at Saint Joseph’s University, is the author of two previous books on Chinese history and is a Fellow of the National Committee on US-China Relations. He lives in Ewing, New Jersey.

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