This is an auction for TREASON BY THE BOOK by Jonathan Spence.

"In 1728 Emperor Yongzheng of China received a message from a distant subordinate advising that treason, in the form of a letter denouncing his regime, was abroad in the land. This book by Yale scholar Spence traces the intricate and surprising consequences of that disclosure. Partly a chronicle of historical events and partly an examination of a culture and a political system, this volume recounts how the emperor's relentless investigation led to apprehension of the dissidents who had dared impugn the imperial system. One of the book's surprises is the emperor's next move. Instead of imposing a death sentence he began an intensive, written conversation with the leader of the dissidents, a man named Zeng Jing. Ultimately convinced he had wronged the emperor, Zeng Jing wrote a confession of error and received a pardon for his crimes. Remarkably, the emperor ordered the entire chain of writings, including the original treasonous letter, published and distributed throughout China as a civics lesson for his subjects. Seen nearly 300 years later, Emperor Yongzheng's experiment with mass publication of ideas he found repugnant seems enlightened and commendable. Spence is a wonderfully accomplished writer, and in this tale he has found an intriguing character for his many readers to ponder."

• Library Journal (US)

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Jonathan D. Spence is Sterling Professor of History at Yale University, where he has taught for thirty years.

Very favourable reviews on Amazon.com.

Hardback 2001.

300 pages.

Good condition.

The cost of shipping is $4.95 (ordinary post) or $6.95 (tracked mail). If you are on rural delivery and want tracked mail, the shipping cost will be $9.95.

There is of course no charge for shipping if you collect this book from my shop in Palmerston North following the auction.

Payment within seven days, please. seven days, please.