China, open and shut - from imperial times to the Cultural Revolution - Michael Pembroke and Linda Jaivin discuss how relations with the outside world have changed China, from ancient to modern times. They will show how the writing of history can help make sense of complex events in the past and offer insights into the present day.
About the authors:
Linda Jaivin has been studying Chinese politics, language and culture for more than forty years. She has been a foreign correspondent in China, and is co-editor of the China Story Yearbook, an associate of the Australian Centre on China in the World at the Australian National University and the author of twelve books including The Shortest History of China.
Michael Pembroke grew up in England, Australia and Singapore and was educated at the Universities of Sydney and Cambridge. His books include Arthur Phillip - Sailor, Mercenary, Governor, Spy (2013), an historical biography that was short-listed for the Prime Minister’s Literary Awards; Korea - Where the American Century Began (2018), a military and political critique that was short-listed for the Queensland Literary Awards and the NSW Premier’s History Awards; Play By the Rules (2020), a polemic about American leadership that was published in the United States as America in Retreat (2021) and Trees of History & Romance (2009), a paean to trees and poetry. Pembroke studied French and Indian history at university intending to become a diplomat but afterwards succumbed to the law. He has written for Time Magazine, Al Jazeera, the South China Morning Post and Australian news publications.
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