Comments from Authors Reviewed
Abstract
Comments from Authors Reviewed SAGE Publications, Inc.1976DOI: 10.1177/009770047600200203 Chang P'Eng-Yüan Institute of Modern History Academia Sinica, Taiwan Roger V. Des Forges State University of New York at Buffalo MarkElvin University of Oxford, England Edward Friedman University of Wisconsin Michael Gasster Livingston College Rutgers University Chün-Tu Hsüeh University of Maryland MaryRankin Edward Rhoads University of Texas, Austin MODERN CHINA, Vol. 2 No. 2, April 1976 I am very glad to have the chance to read Joe Esherick's "1911: A Review." This wide-ranging article has done a summary tallying of English language contributions of the last fifteen years; whatever the personal prejudices of the reviewer, the article is a most welcome effort. I believe that all scholars interested in the 1911 1 Revolution should read this review article, as should beginning students in modem Chinese history. I myself am most interested in the question of the role of the gentry class in the Revolution. Philip Kuhn has distinguished three levels of gentry: "national, provincial, and local." As a matter of fact, the motto of the gentry was precisely- "official when advancing; gentry when retiring." Once an official, one could become nationally known, and exert great influence. Once renowned, one could