The Compelling Ideal

'Jan Kiely, an American sinologist based at the Chinese University of Hong Kong, shows with admirable clarity that the notion of thought reform, or ganhua, occupied the minds and goals of late Qing dynasty reformers, Japanese penologists, progressive prison wardens during the Republic, Chiang Kai-shek and his son Ching-kuo, Buddhists and of course Mao Zedong even before he came to national power.' —Jonathan Mirsky, THES. -- Jonathan Mirsky * THES *
“The Compelling Ideal is a thoughtful, rigorously researched, and meticulously detailed investigation into early twentieth-century Chinese penal reform, from the last decade of the Qing dynasty to the formative years of the People’s Republic of China.”—Journal of Asian Studies * Journal of Asian Studies *
"This is a solid and well-researched study of techniques of re-education and thought reform in Chinese penal institutions in the first half of the twentieth century."—Klaus Muhlhahn, American Historical Review  -- Klaus Muhlhahn * American Historical Review *
"...one cannot fail to be impressed by the beautifully crafted deep history his book provides.  Readers wishing to understand the historical context within which Maoist thought reform later evolved will find this book to be indispensable." —Aminda Smith, China Quarterly Review -- Aminda Smith * China Quarterly Review *