Soong Mayling and Wartime China, 1937-1945

Esther T. Hu is Associate in Research at the Fairbank Center for Chinese Studies at Harvard University.

• List of ImagesNote on the Romanization of Chinese WordsAcknowledgmentsIntroductionPART I. SOONG MAYLING’S MILITARY CONTRIBUTIONS DURING CHINA’S WAR OF RESISTANCE (1937-1945)Chapter One: Soong Mayling and the Chinese Air Force Chapter Two: Soong Mayling and Wartime Contributions in Partnership with the Christian CommunityPART II. WOMEN’S WORK: THE WOMEN’S ADVISORY COUNCIL, WAR RELIEF, AND NATIONAL RECONSTRUCTION Chapter Three: Soong Mayling as Mother of China: Women’s Organization, Mobilization, and Networks through the Women’s Advisory Council (WAC)Chapter Four: Encouraging China’s Women and Educating China’s Youth: Soong Mayling’s Rhetorical and Emotional LaborPART III. DIPLOMACY AT HOME AND ABROADChapter Five: Diplomacy at HomeChapter Six: Diplomacy Abroad: Soong Mayling, Sino-Indian, and Sino-British RelationsChapter Seven: Diplomacy Abroad: Soong Mayling and U. S.-China RelationsConclusion: Soong Mayling’s Legacy AppendixBibliographyAbout the Author

In most English-language historical writing on wartime China, Soong Mayling appears as an interesting footnote, rather than a central figure. Esther Hu’s book provides a new perspective, revealing Soong Mayling’s important contributions as an orator, writer, and organizer who worked tirelessly to rally the Chinese people during a national crisis.