Imperial twilight: the opium war and the end of china's last golden age by Stephen Platt A book covering the opium wars, the China trade, and political dealings between China the u.k France and the USA. Starting with attempts by the British to establish a consulate in the imperial city in Beijing and ending with the burning and looting of the summer palace

Autumn in the heavenly kingdom by Stephen Platt A book about the taiping heavenly kingdom and its war with the waning qing dynasty. It makes some comparisons with the US Civil War I.e the quest for the taiping and confederate rebel quest for international recognition and diplomatic relations and trade. It covers the start of the rebellion, foreign mercenaries and the massive, multi front campaign to destroy the taiping