China Reconstructs.

A broken run of 10 issues of the magazine China Reconstructs, 1961, Issue 1, January, and Issue 6, June, are missing. All are in original coloured pictorial wrappers, profusely illustrated throughout in black and white with some colour photographic illustrations, usually 44pp. Number 12 features an index for the full year. Text in English, except for Language Corner, 30.5 x 22.5cm.Some occasional wear to wrapper spines, slight soiling at opening edges, else in good condition. This influential magazine was established by Soong Ching-ling in 1949. Published in 6 languages including Arabic and Chinese, the purpose was to present a very positive view of Chinese life and culture to the outside world. Articles in these issues include many of educational and cultural interest: Bringing Opera to the Village, Pearls Cleansed of Sand, College courses by Television, Four Master Painters, Table Tennis - A Popular Sport in China, Peking University's New Intellectuals, Violins and Pianos for China, The Twenty-four Solar Terms, An Opera for Millions, The Essays of Lu Hsun, My Last Meetings with Mei Lan-Fang, Soochow Storytelling, Debate on Architectural Style, The Stone Arch - Symbol of Chinese Bridges, The Education of Inner Mongolia, New Music in Shanghai, The Minority Peoples of Yunnan. Articles of particular historical significance at this time when the Great Leap Forward was ending include: Agriculture - Foundation of the National Economy, Rivals Help Each Other - for More Steel, Commune Dining Hall, Building up Productive Power, The Revolutionary Years, Chu Tse-ching Refused U.S. Relief Food, and more. Issue Number 12 has an index for the whole year inserted. …