The Golden Age of Piracy in China, 1520–1810: A Short History with Documents

The Golden Age of Piracy in China, 1520–1810, explores the little-known history of Chinese piracy in the sixteenth to nineteenth centuries, featuring a narrative and documentary evidence from various sources. It highlights the size and scope of Chinese piracy, its impact on Asian waters, and its role in the political, economic, social, and cultural transformations of early modern China and the world.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 180 pages
Publication date: 30 March 2022
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing Plc

The Golden Age of Piracy in China, 1520–1810, offers a captivating glimpse into the lesser-known history of Chinese piracy during the sixteenth to nineteenth centuries. This three-hundred-year period witnessed unparalleled growth and scope in Chinese piracy, making it a significant global phenomenon. The book presents a meticulously curated selection of Chinese, Portuguese, Dutch, English, and Japanese sources, many of which are translated for the first time, to provide a comprehensive understanding of the diverse and complex nature of piratical activities in Asian waters. These sources include archival criminal cases and depositions of pirates and victims, government reports and proclamations, memoirs of coastal residents and pirate captives, and written and oral folklore passed down through generations. The book also highlights the significant role played by pirates in the political, economic, social, and cultural transformations of early modern China and the world. By examining piracy through an historical lens, the book offers valuable insights into the cyclical nature of piracy as a recurring phenomenon deeply intertwined with the past.

Weight: 274g
Dimension: 229 x 151 x 16 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781538161531