Alain Peyrefitte (Book order)

Alain Peyrefitte Book order

August 26, 1925 – November 27, 1999

This author offers profound insights into French identity and its historical underpinnings. Through his writings, he investigates whether distinct elements of the French character contribute to the nation's recurring challenges. His analyses, informed by extensive experience as a journalist and public servant, weave personal observations into a panoramic view of French and European history. The work seeks to understand the essence of the nation and its place in the world.

The Immobile Empire

688 pages
25 hours of reading

4.2(6)Add rating

Set in 1793, the narrative explores the historic mission of Lord George Macartney to establish trade relations with China, highlighting the cultural clash exemplified by his refusal to perform the kowtow before the Emperor. This pivotal moment foreshadows the difficulties that would plague future interactions between China and the West. Drawing from rich source materials, including the diary of Thomas Staunton, the book vividly recounts this encounter, illustrating the complexities and misunderstandings that defined the meeting of these two great empires.