The Chan's Great Continent

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Exploring the Western perception of China over seven centuries, Jonathan Spence examines historical encounters from Marco Polo's accounts to the reflections of 20th-century literary figures like Kafka and Borges. The narrative includes diverse voices, from Iberian explorers to American writers, highlighting how these encounters reveal Western self-image and curiosity about China's unity and complexity. Spence's elegant analysis showcases the interplay between Western thought and Chinese identity, offering profound insights into cultural understanding.