Shanghai: A History in Photographs, 1842 - Today

Explore the captivating evolution of Shanghai with 'Shanghai: A History in Photographs, 1842 - Today.' This stunning trade paperback, published by Penguin China, invites you on a visual journey through one of the world's most dynamic cities. With 504 pages filled with rare archival photographs and original commissions from renowned contemporary photographers, this book captures Shanghai’s transformation from its humble 'muddy' roots into a global metropolis. The history of Shanghai is as rich as the city itself, having weathered civil wars, invasions, and revolutions while continually reinventing itself. This compelling collection showcases how Shanghai became a symbol of culture, style, and business opportunity, making it an essential read for history buffs and photography enthusiasts alike. Discover the untold stories behind Shanghai's iconic skyline and vibrant streets as you delve into over a century of change in this international center. Perfect for anyone interested in Chinese history, urban development, or photographers’ perspectives, this book reveals how Shanghai remains a beacon of international influence. Don’t miss this opportunity to own a piece of Shanghai’s legacy with this beautifully crafted visual history.

Condition: BRAND NEW
ISBN: 9780670080908
Format: Trade paperback (UK)
Year: 2011
Publisher: Penguin China
Pages: 504


Description:
The modern city of Shanghai rose up from truly 'muddy' origins, both in the soft subsoil its foundations were build upon and its early economy based on a trade in opium, or 'foreign mud'. Forced open to the British by the unequal Treaty of Nanking in 1842, Shanghai did what it does best- it beat the odds to become a 'bawdy and gaudy' metropolis that, 168 years later, commands a place in the contemporary imagination unlike any other city. Despite civil war, invasion, revolution and famine, Shanghai has continued to be a byword for style, culture, business and opportunity, leading the way for China's ongoing boom. Shanghai- A History in Photographs, 1842-Today unravels the origins of today's Shanghai, exploring the forces that shaped the city through rare archive photographs, images from private collections, and original commissions from the world's top contemporary photographers. This is the story of China-told through the prism of the country's most international city. With a forward by Paul French.