The Middle Kingdom, Volume 1 (of 2) A Survey of the Geography, Government, Literature, Social Life, Arts, and History of the Chinese Empire and its Inhabitants

"The Middle Kingdom, Volume 1 (of 2)" by S. Wells Williams is a wide-ranging historical examination from the 1800s. It investigates the lands, ruling systems, writings, people, creative works, and past events of China and its communities, presenting an informative summary of Chinese civilization by highlighting its special qualities and the changes caused by outside influences and internal progress. The text starts with a preface that thinks about China's major political and intellectual accomplishments over the past thirty-five years. Williams shares his goal of showing a new view of China, focusing on changes in ruling and society, especially concerning relationships with other countries. Further explored is China’s structure, with focus on its large geography, historical stories, and distinct culture, providing a base for later discussions about different parts of Chinese life, setting things up for a study of the country's complexities.