The Belgian Mandarin
The Belgian Mandarin Books
The Belgian Mandarin
The Life of Paul Splingaerd
(Brussels,1842 – Xian,1906)
by Anne Splingaerd Megowan
The life of the poor Brussels orphan who became an honored mandarin in China may sound more like fiction than a true biography, but Paul Splingaerd really did walk this earth.
Ebook:
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$20.00
Paperback available at listed outlets below
ISBN13 (TP) : 978-1-4257-9217-6
ISBN13 (HB) : 978-1-4257-9237-4
Order your copy today!
What’s the Book About
The life of the poor Brussels orphan who became an honored mandarin in China may sound more like fiction than a true biography, but Paul Splingaerd really did walk this earth.
The four decades that he spent in China were during the pivotal post-Opium Wars years when China’s doors were being pried open for trade with the West. Paul explored all regions of the “Middle Kingdom” with renowned German geologist Ferdinand von Richthofen, and established a fur trading business in Mongolia before being appointed customs inspector in China’s far west by powerful Viceroy Li Hongzhang.
Find out what brought Splingaerd to China, and learn how he earned recognition from his king, King Leopold II, who made him a “Chevalier de L’Ordre de la Couronne.” Read about Paul’s role in the construction of the first iron bridge across the venerable Yellow River at Lanzhou.
Splingaerd’s perspective on China’s interaction with the West during the late nineteenth century, offers the reader many intriguing insights into the roots of China’s dynamism in the twenty-first century.
Masterfully authored by Splingaerd’s great-granddaughter, Anne Splingaerd Megowan, The Belgian Mandarin is one unforgettable read, a well-researched and richly illustrated account of the life of this truly exceptional individual.
A look inside the book.
Technical Details
203 pages, 6×9 inches (15.24 x22.86 cm)
Quality Jacket hardcover or ublished: 1/18/2008
Black and white print
ISBN13 (TP) : 978-1-4257-9217-6
ISBN13 (HB) : 978-1-4257-9237-4
Quality Jacket hardcover or ublished: 1/18/2008
Black and white print
ISBN13 (TP) : 978-1-4257-9217-6
ISBN13 (HB) : 978-1-4257-9237-4
Customer Reviews
Based on 3 reviews
FASCINATING
DickW on March 7, 2010
It is really incredible the many many things this man, an orphan from Belgium, did in China. The dangers and challenges he faced and overcame. The author, his great-granddaughter, has carefully researched and documented each step so the reader knows this is the true story of Paul Splingaerd’s life. I especially liked the way things were presented from both the standpoint of Europeans at the time and the Chinese. A very fascinating book to read, but it also gave me a far better understanding of the China of today.
A REMARKABLE MAN
J. Garol on February 1, 2010
This is a well written book with great attention to detail that not only gives a look into 19th century China but introduces the reader to a most remarkable man, Paul Splingaerd. His story is both interesting and inspiring. As each chapter unfolded, I looked forward to the next adventure of Paul with eager anticipation. I truly enjoyed this book and recommend it to those who would like an exciting adventure biography. This would make a great movie.
EXCELLENT RESEARCH
John P. Splingaerd on April 24, 2008
Anne Megowan spent more than 10 years contacting Catholic missionary religious orders, distant relatives, Chinese historians in China, and visiting the various places her great-grandfather traveled. The result is not only a biography of the Belgian Mandarin but her careful research has brought to light the politics and living conditions of that period in Chinese and world history. For people who want to know how people lived and moved around in those days, this is a jewel of a book. She does not try to build him up and even touched off a family feud with a first cousin because she refused to lie about the origin of Paul Splingaerd.
Where to Buy
The Belgian Mandarin (paperback) is available at: Xlibris.com, AbeBooks.com, Barnes & Noble, Amazon.com, Amazon.fr and by request from your favorite local bookstores.
Ebook copies can be purchased right here on Splingaerd.net.
To request a complimentary paperback review copy, contact the publisher at (888) 795-4274 x. 7836. Tear sheets may be sent by regular or electronic mail to Marketing Services.
To purchase copies of the book for resale, please fax Xlibris at (610) 915-0294 or call (888) 795-4274 x7876.
Related Products
New to the Belgian Mandarin saga
Assembling the Paul Puzzle
eBook (PDF)
by Anne Splingaerd-Megowan
Anne reveals even more fascinating tidbits of Paul Splingaerd’s life in “Assembling the Paul Puzzle.” This new work recounts events leading to the publication of the Belgian Mandarin and the surprising discoveries since then.
Get your personal copy today!
$5.99
$12.99
The Belgian Mandarin
The Story of Paul Splingaerd
Table of Contents
| Preface | 7 | |
| Chapter 1 — Young Paul | 11 | |
| The Foundling and the Founder | 14 | |
| Chapter 2 — Rails, Sails, and Ruts | 18 | |
| Pope Pius IX | 22 | |
| Shipboard Chinese Lessons | 24 | |
| First Glimpse of China | 26 | |
| China’s Bustling Trade City | 27 | |
| “Guardian Angel” and Guide | 28 | |
| “Those Damned Carts” | 30 | |
| Chinese Names | 32 | |
| The Capital | 34 | |
| Chapter 3 — Seed in the Soil | 38 | |
| Fr. Verbist’s Debut Party | 40 | |
| Getting to Work | 41 | |
| The Chinese Language | 43 | |
| A Case for Champagne | 45 | |
| Brother Franzenbach | 48 | |
| Chapter 4 — The Turning Point | 50 | |
| Fr. Remi Verlinden | 51 | |
| Departure from Xiwanzi | 53 | |
| Chapter 5 — Paul and Richthofen | 56 | |
| The Geologist Finds his Dolmetscher | 56 | |
| Li Hongzhang Grants Approval | 58 | |
| China’s Lewis and Clark? | 58 | |
| Kalgan Detour | 60 | |
| Buddhist Travel Companion | 65 | |
| Chapter 6 — Trader in Mongolia | 70 | |
| Jardine Matheson & Co. | 70 | |
| The Mongolian wool trade | 71 | |
| Paul Gets Married | 78 | |
| Chapter 7 — Customs Mandarin in Suzhou | 83 | |
| American Cyclists Meet Mysterious “Ling Darin” | 86 | |
| Vladimor Obroutchev Visit | 88 | |
| Paul the Practitioner | 91 | |
| Recognition and Promotion | 96 | |
| Swedish Explorer Sven Hedin | 97 | |
| Chapter 8 — The Children’s Caravan | 103 | |
| The Missing Ingredient | 103 | |
| The Journey | 105 | |
| Arrival at Shanghai | 105 | |
| Four Religious Sisters | 107 | |
| Chapter 9 — China’s “Grand Central” | 114 | |
| Li and Leopold | 115 | |
| Flawed Diplomacy | 119 | |
| Paul is Enlisted | 122 | |
| Chapter 10 — Paul and the King’s Men | 127 | |
| Leopold Sets Sights on Gansu | 127 | |
| General Wittamer in “Paul’s town” | 128 | |
| Who Were the “Boxers”? | 129 | |
| Guangxu Attempts Reform | 131 | |
| Learning About the Congo | 133 | |
| A Low Point | 134 | |
| “Flee Immediately” | 135 | |
| Refuge at the Zhang Plantation | 136 | |
| Gobi Ordeal | 139 | |
| Boxers in Beijing | 142 | |
| Chapter 11 — Brigadier General Lin in Post-Boxer China | 146 | |
| First Foreigner to see the Dunhuang Buddhist manuscripts | 147 | |
| Still Assisting Scheuts | 148 | |
| Chapter 12 — Mission to Brussels | 156 | |
| Chapter 13 — Xian Farewell | 164 | |
| Chapter 14 — Paul’s Legacy | 138 | |
| Development of Lanzhou | 138 | |
| And What About the Bridge? | 139 | |
| Epilogue — Paul’s Other Bridge | 177 | |
| Appendix A — How is Anne Related to Paul? | 183 | |
| Appendix B — Map | 184 | |
| Appendix C — Paul’s descendants | 186 | |
| Bibliography | 189 | |
| Index | 195 | |
Media Coverage
| 31Aug09 | Anne’s Report on 2009 Lanzhou Visit for Centenial Celebration of First Iron Bridge Across the Yellow River on August 26 |  |
| 27Aug09 | The Lanzhou Bridge Centennial Celebration on August 26, 2009 generated a great deal of coverage in the Chinese press. Pictures of the Ceremonies, the visiting descendents of Paul Splingaerd, and historical photos are included. There are a couple of stories going beyond the formal press releases and featuring interviews with people having recollections of the history of the bridge since its construction.
http://www.qj023.com/bbs/thread-8811-1-1.html http://www.tc.cn/news/newsshow-90135.html http://www.sxworker.com/xinwen/gn/2009-08-27/840.html http://www.zgts.gov.cn/xwzx/gnxw/2009/08/27092055829.html http://books.sina.com.tw/article/20090827/2080771.html http://xw.chinawestnews.net/system/2009/08/27/010173789.shtml http://www.gscn.com.cn/pub/gansu/shms/2009/08/21/1250825577683.html http://bbs.club.sina.com.cn/thread-346/table-27722-7718.html Similar article to above. http://www.gscn.com.cn/pub/cul/whtt/2009/08/27/1251339509292.html This article relates the history of the Splingaerd family intertwinement with the Lanzhou Bridge development. It contains different pictures from the standard press release and includes a few historical photos. Anne is mentioned. http://lz.gansudaily.com.cn/system/2009/08/21/011235313.shtml |
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| 27Aug09 | The Lanzhou Bridge Centennial Celebration in August 2009 developed a great deal of media attention in China. Anne’s aunt, Zhang Jian Qin, holding Anne’s book, The Belgian Mandarin, was featured in an hour-long documentary about the involvement of Paul Splingaerd and his associates in the introduction of European business and engineering to Lanzhou region. This picture was also featured in a Lanzhou newspaper article in August 2009 about Paul’s descendants becoming honorary citizens of the city. |  |
| 26Apr09 | Los Angeles Times Festival of Books – 2009 Press Release for 2009 Festival of Book   |
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| 8Nov08 | Huldenberg article on Splingaerd Reunion (Flemish) |  |
| 12May08 | May 2008 Interview by Los Angeles China Daily Newspaper (Chinese) | |
| Apr08 | April 2008 Interview by Santa Monica Star | |
| Nov2006 | Interview by Not Born Yesterday |  |
| 13Oct05 | Review of 2005 Trip by Chinese Press |
The “Belgian Mandarin” is available at bookstores near you and at these outlets:
