The Last Manchu cover art

The Last Manchu

The Autobiography of Henry Pu Yi, Last Emperor of China

 Preview

Get 30 days of Standard free

£5.99/mo after trial. Cancel monthly.
Try for £0.00
More purchase options

The Last Manchu

By: Paul Kramer, Henry Pu Yi
Narrated by: Gildart Jackson
Try for £0.00

£5.99 a month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy Now for £14.38

Buy Now for £14.38

Summary

In 1908, at the age of two, Henry Pu Yi ascended to become the last emperor of the centuries-old Manchu dynasty. After revolutionaries forced Pu Yi to abdicate in 1911, the young emperor lived for 13 years in Peking’s Forbidden City, but with none of the power his birth afforded him. The remainder of Pu Yi’s life was lived out in a topsy-turvy fashion: fleeing from a Chinese warlord, becoming head of a Japanese puppet state, being confined to a Russian prison in Siberia, and enduring taxing labor. The Last Manchu is a unique, enthralling record of China’s most turbulent, dramatic years.

©2010 Skyhorse Publishing, Inc. (P)2012 Audible, Inc. Americas Asia China Historical Japan Military Politicians Politics & Activism United States World Biography Russia War Imperial Japan

Editor reviews

This autobiography of Henry Pu Yi, the last Qing emperor, tells the real-life story of a king in pauper's clothing. A head of state by the time he learned to walk, Pu Yi's shifting fortunes found him deposed, reinstated, jailed for war crimes, and ultimately redeemed, oddly enough, in the eyes of the communist government, while he lived and worked as a commoner. With a voice reminiscent of the great Alec Guinness, Gildart Jackson delivers audiences a tremulous performance, capturing the conflicted nature of the beleaguered emperor. The English actor exudes a regal sophistication, alternately punctured by arrogance and regret as Pu Yi grapples with unlikely turns of fate.
adbl_web_anon_alc_button_suppression_c

Critic reviews

"Important and fascinating." ( The New York Times)
All stars
Most relevant
Loved the tone and benevolence of this story, despite the expected distorted behaviour and experiences. Pu Yi seemed very honest about his own contribution to these dark times. I was riveted and listened almost continuously. However there is a suggestion that it isn’t as honest as it seems. Great for those who are Interested in Chinese history or who just love a fascinating tale.

Autobiography of the last Chinese emperor

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
From the horse's mouth as it were. The book doesn't linger too long and keeps moving. Henry Pu Yi is quick to acknowledge his faults during his account, and is often refreshingly frank. Though I cannot say if it is accurate or not, it is entertaining. As for the mispronounciation of some names, that may be the case, but it doesn't ruin the whole enterprise unless you let it.

Interesting and well-paced.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
This was fascinating. Tragic story. This man made many mistakes and at times I really found it hard to sympathise with him BUT he was a victim too. The time he was born into was toxic. The previous generations committed horrendous crimes against their own just to hold into power. He had been taught that he had to continue in that way to hold into his life.

The narrator is very clear and the writer has given plenty of insight and information regarding that period without overloading the listener.

I absolutely recommend this book for its historical and storytelling.

We can't choose our fate

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
Explains a lot but leaves you wondering why people expect someone who has always had special treatment to suddenly comprehend the whys and wherefores of how society works

Very enlightening

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
Incredable and poignant life about the last Emperor of China. Fascinating and much more interesting than the Academy award winning film the last emperor…

Excellent!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
See more reviews