Transforming History：The Making of a Modern Academic Discipline in Twentieth-Century China 中國歷史

Transforming History examines the profound transformation of historical thought and practice of writing history from the late Qing through the mid-twentieth century. The authors devote extensive analysis to the common set of intellectual and political forces that shaped the study of history, from the ideas of evolution, positivism, nationalism, historicism, and Marxism, to political processes such as revolution, imperialism, and modernization. Also discussed are the impact and problems associated with the nation-state as the subject of history, the linear model of historical time, and the spatial system of nation-states. The result is a convincing study that illustrates how history has transformed into a modern academic discipline in China.

Brian Moloughney is Pro-Vice-Chancellor Humanities at the University of Otago. His research includes work on Chinese history and literature and the Chinese diaspora.

Peter Zarrow is currently Associate Research Fellow at the Institute of Modern History, Academia Sinica, Taipei. His research focuses on the thought and culture of twentieth-century China.