Manchuria has been attracting the attention of observers to the west since the Russian Empire began taking an interest in the seventeenth century. Cultures, economies, resource flows, and interests have converged and encountered each other there. It is, therefore, no surprise that contemporary scholars have recently begun taking a more serious look at Manchuria and its capacity to induce change and be changed by indigenous and external influences. This book presents an encompassing, but engaging, survey of how individuals and collective actors - principally China, Japan, and Russia - have shaped Manchuria's history over the last four centuries as well as its present. It is a rich guide for students and experts looking to discover and reassess the diverse scholarly claims about how Manchuria has become the fascinating region and research object that it currently is. * Dr Susanne Hohler, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universitat Munchen, Germany *
Mark Gamsa's Manchuria: A Concise History... meets a significant need, deftly weaving together the many diffuse strands which make up the history of what we now call northeast China. Conveniently broken down into easily digestible chunks, each dealing with a key historic juncture and the parties involved, the book sheds light on both known and overlooked aspects of Manchurian life. * Ed Pulford, 'New Books Network' *
