In the first major event of the 2023-2024 publishing season in Taiwan, two important new books — the two-volume Wang Jingwei’s Poetry: Unabridged Edition with Calligraphy and Annotations and the three-volume Wang Jingwei’s Political Discourse —Newly Compiled and Revised Edition — published by Eight Corners Books (New York) in collaboration with the Wang Jingwei Irrevocable Trust, will be available for sale in limited numbers on September 2, 2023 at the Kishu An Forest of Literature. Worldwide distribution coming very soon…

The September 2, 2023 book preview event at the Kishu An Forest of Literature will occur at the seminar titled “Rewriting History of China’s Republican Era: Wang Jingwei, Chiang Kai-shek and Mao Zedong During the Sino-Japanese War” hosted by the best-selling human rights writer Yu Jie, who has written a biography of the Nobel Laureate Liu Xiaobo and a series of books on the history of the Republic of China. A lively question and answer session will follow.

About the Two Newly Issued Books by Wang Jingwei

The newly issued Wang Jingwei’s Poetry: Unabridged Edition with Calligraphy and Annotations and Wang Jingwei’s Political Discourse —Newly Compiled and Revised Edition are expanded paperback editions of Volumes I and II of the Wang Jingwei and Modern China series, published as a six-volume box set in 2019 by China Times Publishers. Quickly sold out to book collectors and institutions, the series is now available at major libraries in Asia, North America and Europe.

The first volume of Wang Jingwei’s Poetry features every page of the privately printed Shuangzhaolou shicigao assembled and collected by members of the Wang family, and annotated by Wang Jingwei’s son-in-law Ho Mang Hang (1916-2016). The historical references found in the poetry reveal layers of meaning in Wang’s verses. As a key member of the Wang household, Ho Mang Hang’s unique understanding of Wang as a man and as a poet is apparent in his reading notes.

The second volume of the poetry collection includes hundreds of Wang’s handwritten drafts that shed new light on Wang’s literary and poetic genius as it flowed across the page. The boldness of the poetry drafts in Wang’s corrections shows the genius at work, elevating Wang’s timeless verse to the realm of immortality. The fluidity and beauty of Wang’s poetic expression, combined with the vigor and elegance of his calligraphy, will continue to fascinate readers and scholars for generations to come. This newly issued two-volume collection confirms Wang Jingwei as one of modern  China’s most important poets.

The three-volume Wang Jingwei’s Political Discourse offers the most comprehensive anthology of Wang Jingweiʼs political ideas written by Wang himself, reflecting his evolving world view, exceptional writing style and boundless curiosity. Readers who assume they understand Wang Jingwei cannot make that claim without reading Wang’s long-suppressed essays, speeches and philosophical writing, many of which seem as fresh and meaningful for readers today as when Wang first put pen to paper.

About the September 2, 2023 Book Launch Seminar

Yu Jie will approach the merits and faults of Wang Jingwei, Chiang Kai-shek, and Mao Zedong in modern China, providing a radically different assessment of the three regimes in Nanjing, Chongqing, and Yan’an during the wartime period compared to the mainstream views of the Kuomintang, Communist Party, and intellectual circles across the Taiwan Strait. His outspoken and daring remarks will challenge readers’ preconceived notions and allow the public to rediscover and understand the history of the Republican Era.

To guarantee a seat at the September 2 seminar, which is free to the public, audience members must register. Seating at the event is limited. Register NOW!

What’s more, there will be a special reprint of the sold-out books What Have I Done in My Life? and 1937: A War Begins from February this year. Don’t miss out!