First Published in 2005. This book is by no means an abstract volume addressed to the scholarly reader. It is concerned throughout with the conceptions and ideals of the Japanese people in the early part of the twentieth century, whose clear comprehension and practice by all members of the community is essential for the healthy development of the national life. No other nation in history has passed through such radical changes so successfully in such a short period of time. Anyone interested in discovering the basis of Japan's phenomenal success will find this volume interesting.

Renowned as one of the most distinguished universities in the world, Peking University (PKU or, colloquially, "Beida") has been at the forefront of higher education in China since its inception. Its roots arguably date to the origin of Chinese higher education. Hao Ping traces the intricate evolution of the university, beginning with the preceding institutions that contributed to its establishment, and stretching from the first Opium War of 1839 through the first of several eye-opening defeats for the then-isolated Middle Kingdom to the Xinhai Revolution and the early days of the Republic of China. Hao Ping chronicles the contentious debates between reform-minded leaders who championed Western models of learning and conservatives who favored the traditional schooling and examination system, providing readers with details about the workings of the imperial court as well as the individual officials and scholars involved in Chinese educational reform. This authoritative history of the founding of Peking University defends the university’s claim to be the first modern university in China and offers insight into the formation of higher education as it exists in China today.