Chance and Change in China follows a traveler landing in Shanghai and tracing the early days of the republic. It captures how cities, streets, and customs transformed as new ideas and Western influence arrived, from changing clothes to shifting political loyalties.

The book blends personal encounters with sharp observations of elites, soldiers, and ordinary people. It contrasts old etiquette with fresh, sometimes chaotic modernity, offering a grounded view of a society in transition and the ways people adapt to a rapidly changing world.

Vivid scenes of urban life, fashion, and public displays during a time of upheaval.
Portraits of soldiers, authorities, and ordinary citizens shaping the new political landscape.
Detailed glimpses into wealthy households and evolving social rituals.
Thoughtful reflections on China’s shifting identity from imperial dominion to a republic.

Ideal for readers of travel memoirs, cultural history, and modern Chinese history seeking a grounded, observer’s perspective on a pivotal era.

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We first started out as ?The Paperback Exchange,? a chain of physical bookstores where we would part exchange your beloved books for new stories to transport you to faraway places. However, as shopping started to evolve to online shops and marketplaces, we bid our stores goodbye to become ?PBShop.? This transition has only allowed us to blossom as we now ship thousands of titles to book lovers across the globe. We pride ourselves in being a community of local book lovers which allows our passion and devotion to shine in everything we do. In 2020 we not only celebrated our 20th birthday but our 1st birthday as being completely employee owned after becoming an E.O.T in September 2019. We are proud to be different and embrace standing apart on a book mountain by working from a virtual inventory which allows us to provide thousands of books that may be difficult to get for your bookshelf or your studies. Working with a number of different suppliers allows us to explore other avenues such as puzzles, sheet music and even stationery so we really do have something for everyone. Life is about being versatile in all realms of existence. If this is your first visit or you are a returning customer, we would like to welcome you to the PBShop family, for there is no friend as loyal as a book. We are a company who put our customers at the centre of everything we do as we understand the importance of reading because once you learn to read, you will forever be free. There are a whole lot of things in this world of ours that we are yet to explore, which is why we will forever inspire curious minds.

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