Chinese Son

The book God's Chinese Son by Jonathan D. Spence is a clever inside look at the effects had on a society by a colonial trade port enterprise. I liked the way that at the beginning of the book it seems as though there are a lot of unrelated topics, but by the end they each are woven together into the fabric of this society and how each had an effect on each other. One example of this is Karl Gutzlaff. He is introduced early in the story, but the effect that he would have specifically on Hong's society is revealed later. I also enjoyed how Spence gave every aspect of the establishment of Christianity and it's effects on the society, from the obvious political effects, to the smaller, less noticeable effects which it has on, for example, traditions or the pirates. It is ironic that through the colonies, devoted Christians brought their message of peace and salvation to China, yet it was this same Christianity that resulted in the captivation and death of all of the Chinese who accepted it as such. I found it interesting to view the evolution of Hong as a religious philosopher and leader and the way that power began to change his views. In the beginning of his ministry he writes a tract which negatively comments on China'sfractured harmony? (p. 91). Later he is personally responsible for the battles that are tearing China apart. Another example of this is in Liang's tract it lists six laws to follow of which the first isNot to Kill? (p. 62). This is the tract that establishes the foundation for Hong's Christian faith, but yet later he would command his servants to Yang because he was preventing Hong from having complete control of the God-worshiping Society. With God's Chinese Son, Spence has taken a mircocosmic experience and added extraordinary insights into the universal rippling effects of colonialism