Tag Archives: China

White Paper: On Responsibility For Bridge Failures On Engineers In China

Posted on November 14, 2025 by nathanalbright

Executive Summary Bridge failures in China sit at the intersection of rapid infrastructure expansion, challenging geology, overloaded transport networks, and a stringent but uneven system of professional accountability. Recent collapses – including the partial failure of the newly opened Hongqi … Continue reading →

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The Taiping Rebellion and the Sabbath

Posted on May 13, 2025 by nathanalbright

The Taiping Rebellion (1850–1864) stands as one of the most dramatic and complex efforts in world history to reshape society according to a religious vision rooted in the Bible. At its center was Hong Xiuquan, a Chinese visionary who, after … Continue reading →

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The Potential Benefits of Regional Autonomy in Conflict-Prone Areas

Posted on February 13, 2025 by nathanalbright

Introduction Throughout history, various regions of the world have experienced significant tensions due to their forced inclusion within national borders that do not align with their cultural, linguistic, or economic identities. Many of these regions would likely experience fewer problems … Continue reading →

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Principles of Being A Good Ambassador

Posted on December 27, 2024 by nathanalbright

As a thought experiment, I pondered how one would go about defining the principles of being a good ambassador, and here is an outline I came up with: Title: The Art of Diplomacy: Navigating the Global Stage Introduction: Part 1: … Continue reading →

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Book Review: Lands Of Lost Borders

Posted on May 25, 2024 by nathanalbright

Lands Of Lost Borders: A Journey On The Silk Road, by Kate Harris How can an author get so much so wrong when she is writing what amounts to a whiny travelogue? It is easy to sympathize–even empathize–with the author’s … Continue reading →

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Book Review: The Early Chinese Empires

Posted on January 10, 2024 by nathanalbright

The Early Chinese Empires: Qin And Han, by Mark Edward Lewis While this book is by no means perfect, it is the sort of book that someone could profitably read if they had very little knowledge about Chinese history and wanted … Continue reading →

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Book Review: The Imperial Capitals Of China

Posted on January 9, 2024 by nathanalbright

The Imperial Capitals Of Chian: A Dynastic History Of The Celestial Empire, by Arthur Cotterell When one examines the history of a civilization that has lasted as long as China has, one of the aspects of the empires that have existed … Continue reading →

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Book Review: Himalaya: A Human History

Posted on December 24, 2023 by nathanalbright

Himalaya: A Human History, by Ed Douglas Given the author’s goal of making the complex reality of the Himalaya and its people and realms familiar to Western audiences who are used to very specific stereotypes and cliches about the region and … Continue reading →

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Book Review: Dominion From Sea To Sea

Posted on September 12, 2023 by nathanalbright

Dominion From Sea To Sea: Pacific Ascendancy And American Power, by Bruce Cumings This book aims to do for the Pacific Ocean and especially for the Chinese-American relationship what Atlantic historians typically do for the Atlantic Ocean and the Anglo-American … Continue reading →

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Book Review: The Art Of Not Being Governed

Posted on September 10, 2023 by nathanalbright

The Art Of Not Being Governed: An Anarchist History Of Upland Southeast Asia, by James C. Scott Far more than most people, I have a deep and abiding interest in the people of upland Southeast Asia. I have spent some … Continue reading →

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