Allen Cardoza of Answers4thefamilyblog.com recently interviewed author Matthew Miller on L.A. Talk Radio. The interview on March 21st was about Miller's new book "Fortunate Sons," which he co-authored with Liel Leibovitz. The complete name of the book is "Fortunate Sons: The 120 Chinese Boys Who Came to America, Went to School, and Revolutionized an Ancient Civilization."
This book is the true story of the 120 Chinese boys who studied in America. They traveled to America in the 19th Century before returning home to help establish modern China.
Toward the close of the nineteenth century, China sent a select group of boys to America to learn the ways of the West. Their mission was to modernize the antiquated empire. They were sent to learn how to defend China from foreigners invading its shores.
Drawing on first-person accounts, letters, and diaries, "Fortunate Sons" tells a gripping tale. It weaves together the dramas of personal lives with the story of a nation that was being reborn.
Yung Wing was the first Chinese student to arrive on American shores. He graduated from Yale in 1854.
Yung returned to China. Qing dynasty officials noticed his American education. They were impressed by his English-language abilities.
China's ruling class was desperate. They wanted to upgrade their military power. They sought Yung's help to buy machines from Massachusetts. Yung, however, suggested a better answer. Why not establish an engineering school? It would be a place for young Chinese to learn American industrial methods.
Americans treated the Chinese students well. Chinese in the American West, on the other hand, were facing discrimination and prejudice at that time.
Class separated the two groups. The mission students were scholars and leaders, selected for their potential. In contrast, the West Coast Chinese were either desperate merchants or peasants.
The students returned to a crumbling China. The empire was in disarray. It had been beset by growing internal factionalism. Four decades earlier, European powers had claimed territory and won concessions.
The value of the mission students was slowly recognized by the Chinese ruling class. They eventually won bureaucratic appointments. In time, they rose to greater authority.
This book is the true story of the 120 Chinese boys who studied in America. They traveled to America in the 19th Century before returning home to help establish modern China.
Toward the close of the nineteenth century, China sent a select group of boys to America to learn the ways of the West. Their mission was to modernize the antiquated empire. They were sent to learn how to defend China from foreigners invading its shores.
Drawing on first-person accounts, letters, and diaries, "Fortunate Sons" tells a gripping tale. It weaves together the dramas of personal lives with the story of a nation that was being reborn.
Yung Wing was the first Chinese student to arrive on American shores. He graduated from Yale in 1854.
Yung returned to China. Qing dynasty officials noticed his American education. They were impressed by his English-language abilities.
China's ruling class was desperate. They wanted to upgrade their military power. They sought Yung's help to buy machines from Massachusetts. Yung, however, suggested a better answer. Why not establish an engineering school? It would be a place for young Chinese to learn American industrial methods.
Americans treated the Chinese students well. Chinese in the American West, on the other hand, were facing discrimination and prejudice at that time.
Class separated the two groups. The mission students were scholars and leaders, selected for their potential. In contrast, the West Coast Chinese were either desperate merchants or peasants.
The students returned to a crumbling China. The empire was in disarray. It had been beset by growing internal factionalism. Four decades earlier, European powers had claimed territory and won concessions.
The value of the mission students was slowly recognized by the Chinese ruling class. They eventually won bureaucratic appointments. In time, they rose to greater authority.
About the Author:
Want to find out more about "Fortunate Sons", then visit Allen Cardoza's site to listen to the recorded interview with Matthew Miller.
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