The Early Chiang Kai-Shek: a Study of His Personality and Politics, 18871924

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Three years ago this month I presented to the Columbia University Seminar on Modern West China a paper on certain aspects of the politics of Chiang Kai-shek. During the discussion that followed my presentation, it was suggested that I undertake a systematic psychological study of Chiang’s politics. Though somewhat skeptical at the time, I soon came to accept the soundness of the suggestion. For some time I had indeed felt that, while Chiang the political man must be assessed, as has often been done, in terms of the demands of his society, he should be viewed as a political actor on his own terms as well. Now, influenced by the discussion, I became persuaded that whatever bibliographic and methodological limitations might exists in the study of __and in my study of__ the politics and personality of Chiang such an effort would be a step in the right direction.