Sir Edmund Trelawny Backhouse

Sir Edmund Trelawny Backhouse was a British Orientalist and linguist known for his work on Chinese history and language. He lived in China for many years and was involved in various scholarly and diplomatic activities. However, his reputation was later marred by allegations of forgery and fabrication in his historical writings.

This list of books are ONLY the books that have been ranked on the lists that are aggregated on this site. This is not a comprehensive list of all books by this author.

  1. 1. Décadence Mandchoue

    The China Memoirs of Sir Edmund Trelawny Backhouse

    Set against the backdrop of the waning Qing Dynasty, this memoir offers a vivid and controversial account of life in the imperial court during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The narrative delves into the opulence and decadence of the Manchu aristocracy, revealing scandalous tales of intrigue, corruption, and excess. Through the eyes of a foreign observer, the book paints a picture of a society on the brink of collapse, capturing the tension between tradition and modernity as China grapples with internal strife and external pressures. The memoir's authenticity has been debated, adding an intriguing layer to its historical and literary significance.

    The 9043rd Greatest Book of All Time
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