Ep. 197 | The History of China-Vietnam Relations (Part 1)
In this first of a multipart series, Laszlo explores the history behind the millennia-old relationship between China and Vietnam. Part 1 covers the earliest days of the relationship going back to Zhao Tuo and the Nanyue Kingdom are discussed.
Ep. 196 | The British East India Company (Part 2)
Laszlo finishes off this brief overview of The Honorable Company. It’s a very rough landing for the East India Company as their commercial rivals and political enemies gradually put an end to their winning run going back to the 17th century.
Ep. 195 | The British East India Company (Part 1)
The Honorable East India Company played a somewhat starring role during the Qing Dynasty starting from about the Jiaqing Emperor. In this first of a two-part series, I am offering you an overview of who they were, where they came from, and how they came to be so hated by so many.
Ep. 194 | The History of Toi San and U.S. Immigration
In this episode, Laszlo looks at U.S. Immigration during the days of Chinese Exclusion. The subject will be examined through the eyes of three extraordinary brothers from Haiyang Village in Toi San.
Ep. 193 | Whitey Smith and Early Shanghai Jazz
Whitey Smith found fame amongst the one percent who were regulars at all the glitzy hotel ballrooms, dance halls, clubs, and dives of 1920s and 1930’s Shanghai. Today we take a closer look at his story.
Ep. 192 | The History of Chinese Philosophy (Part 9)
In Part 9, differences between the two main schools of Neo-Confucianism is further discussed: the Lu-Wang School of the Mind (Xinxue) and the Cheng-Zhu School of Principle (Lixue). We also saved philosopher Zou Yan and the Five Elements (Wuxing) for last.
Ep. 191 | The History of Chinese Philosophy (Part 8)
In Part 8, the basic tenets of Neo-Confucianism are introduced, with a focus on lǐ (principle) and xīn (mind) and how these two concepts caused a great divide in the two main schools of Neo-Confucianism.
Ep. 190 | The History of Chinese Philosophy (Part 7)
The focus in this episode is on philosophical thought in the Tang Dynasty (618-907), and three of the founding fathers of Neo Confucianism, Zhou Dunyi, Shao Yong, and Zhang Zai.
Ep. 189 | The History of Chinese Philosophy (Part 6)
In Part 4, the history of Daoism is explored as well as its main characters, Laozi and Zhuangzi. The Xuanxue thinkers Wang Bi, Guo Xiang, and Xiang Xiu are also discussed, as well as the Neo-Daoism that evolved in the Han.
Ep. 188 | The History of Chinese Philosophy (Part 5)
Legalism takes front and center stage in this episode. After the conquest of the competing Warring States in 221 BCE by Qin Shihuang, a new ideology was embraced by the new Chinese state.
Ep. 187 | The History of Chinese Philosophy (Part 4)
Welcome to Part 3 of the History of Chinese Philosophy. A lot happened in the world of Chinese philosophy right after Confucius passed. He had disciples who carried on his teachings, and naysayers who pointed to flaws in this Ru School of philosophy and offered an alternative kind of thought.
Ep. 186 | The History of Chinese Philosophy (Part 3)
In this brief detour of our History of Chinese Philosophy series, Laszlo picks the Yi Jing (Book of Changes) apart and offers up both a history of this timeless classic as well as a brief intro about how it works and the role it plays in the life of some people.
Ep. 185 | The History of Chinese Philosophy (Part 2)
Part 2 examines the stories surrounding Confucius’ life growing up and operating in the State of Lu during the last decades of the Spring and Autumn period of the Zhou Dynasty.
Ep. 184 | The History of Chinese Philosophy (Part 1)
The CHP is back with this 9-Part overview covering the history of Chinese philosophy. The series will run from pre-Confucian times clear through to Wang Yangming in the mid-Ming Dynasty, a period stretching for more than two thousand years.
Ep. 183 | The Nanjing Massacre (Part 2)
Laszlo finishes off his overview of the Rape of Nanking as well as the stories of John Rabe, Robert O. Wilson, Minnie Vautrin, Rev. William Magee, and others who directed the Nanjing Safety Zone.
Ep. 182 | The Nanjing Massacre (Part 1)
In this episode, Laszlo introduces the Nanjing Massacre, which is ab incredibly emotional, controversial, and sensitive subject for a variety of reasons.
Ep. 181 | The Early Years of Sino-Russian Relations
At last, the early years of Russia-China relations can see the light of day. This episode ecovers the beginnings back in the late Ming when they first met and mostly in the Qing where all the history happened.
Ep. 180 | The Earliest Years of Christianity in China
We’ll take a second cursory look at the Jesuits as part of a bigger story that includes Christianity in China during the Tang and Yuan dynasties. Prior to the arrival of Matteo Ricci, there were two other lesser-known attempts to grow Christianity in China.
Ep. 179 | The Ancient History of Silk
The history of silk is really an amazing testament to humankind’s ingenuity and the randomness of life since Neolithic times.
Ep. 178 | William Mesny (Part 2)
In Part 2 of this series examining the forgotten life of William Mesny, we hear the second half of his story in China.