Accidental Holy Land, The Communist Revolution in Northwest China, The Communist Revolution in Northwest China

Author

Esherick, Joseph W.

Year

2022

Publisher

University of California Press

Language

English

Pages

ISBN

978-0-52038-532-0

Link

Last Update

16-May-2026

Keywords

History ; Asian Studies ; Political Science

Description

Shaanxi has been both central and peripheral to the course of Chinese history. In ancient times it was the core of Chinese civilization. The alleged tomb of the legendary Yellow Emperor lies 150 kilometers north of the provincial capital. The first emperor established his capital near Xi’an, and from the third century BCE to the tenth century CE the great ancient dynasties were centered here. In modern times, as we shall see, Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek was kidnapped by his own generals in Xi’an, held hostage until he agreed to join the Communists in a united front against Japanese aggression. And...