Author Description

Product Description The history of Opium in China begins in the mid-Ming dynasty, when as a tribute from vassal states, it was initially used as an aphrodisiac in the Ming court. The Chinese then began to collectively redefine the foreign recreational resource's usage and created a complex culture around its comsumption. This book traces the transformation over a period of five hundred years, revealing the nature of Opium's introduction and development in China as a universal cultural institution. Review “This ambitious social history of “life history” of opium consumption in China contributes to a growing scholarship on the subject. Yangwen traces the transformation of opium from a medicinal to a recreational drug. The author also examines the relationship of opium to women and gender, the sex industry, and literature, as well as many other facets of modern Chinese history.” Choice "The book's most notable contributions to the growing literature on opium in China are its lengthy chronological scope, its intriguing and effective interdisciplinary approach, and its wide range of previously untapped sources...a lively and readable volume...Zheng has done an admirable job of opening up a new avenue of inquiry into a complex topic." --Joyce A. Madancy, Union College: Journal of Interdisciplinary History Book Description This is the first book to consider the social and cultural implications of opium consumption. Collectively, the Chinese people redefined a foreign way of recreation and developed a complex culture of consumption around its use. The book traces this transformation over a period of five hundred years, asking who introduced opium to China and how it spread across all sections of society. Accompanied by a fascinating collection of illustrations, this study will appeal to students and scholars of history, anthropology, sociology, economics, and all those with an interest in Chi