I don't need to use primary sources exclusively, but I do need several. I can't speak Japanese, so I'm limited to whatever has been translated by others, which means I've been working with a lot of government documents from the era. I've actually picked up Toland's book, and it is definitely a good read.
You're probably ahead of me already then. I've never seen anything like that outside Japan. Of course, even with primary sources, one still has to be careful of bias as so many were part of various ideological factions. Toland's book -well, like I said, more fair than most and certainly well written but incomplete (not his fault) and he tends to give a great deal of "what" but very little "why" -and I dislike his condescending attitude toward the Manchus, a problem many people have, basically taking the attitude that any monarchy fell must have fallen because the monarchy was at fault in some way, rather than being the victims of circumstance or flagrant, irrational disloyalty.
I don't take requests but am always open to suggestions. It would be best though to pinpoint what precisely you mean by the "Irish Question" and perhaps go to the Articles page above and click on "Ireland" to make sure I have not covered the point already. I am always open to addressing Ireland but it is always troublesome to do so because that is one of those situations in which I can infuriate both sides at the same time.
I don't need to use primary sources exclusively, but I do need several. I can't speak Japanese, so I'm limited to whatever has been translated by others, which means I've been working with a lot of government documents from the era. I've actually picked up Toland's book, and it is definitely a good read.
ReplyDeleteYou're probably ahead of me already then. I've never seen anything like that outside Japan. Of course, even with primary sources, one still has to be careful of bias as so many were part of various ideological factions. Toland's book -well, like I said, more fair than most and certainly well written but incomplete (not his fault) and he tends to give a great deal of "what" but very little "why" -and I dislike his condescending attitude toward the Manchus, a problem many people have, basically taking the attitude that any monarchy fell must have fallen because the monarchy was at fault in some way, rather than being the victims of circumstance or flagrant, irrational disloyalty.
DeleteWould you do an article on the solution to the Irish Question at some point and how it would fit in with preserving monarchy....
ReplyDeleteI don't take requests but am always open to suggestions. It would be best though to pinpoint what precisely you mean by the "Irish Question" and perhaps go to the Articles page above and click on "Ireland" to make sure I have not covered the point already. I am always open to addressing Ireland but it is always troublesome to do so because that is one of those situations in which I can infuriate both sides at the same time.
Delete