We are delighted to announce that the recording of the first ISCSD Book Talk of 2025 is now available on our YouTube channel! This engaging event featured Professor Tristan Brown (Massachusetts Institute of Technology), presenting his groundbreaking book, Laws of the Land: Fengshui and the State in Qing Dynasty China (Princeton University Press, 2023), which recently won the prestigious John K. Fairbank Prize.
In this insightful work, Professor Brown examines the complex roles of fengshui in public life and law during China’s last imperial dynasty, offering a nuanced understanding of how the state and society negotiated its practices and meanings.
The event also included a stimulating discussion with the distinguished Professor Dagmar Schäfer, Director of the Max Planck Institute for the History of Science (MPIWG) in Berlin. Together, they explored the intersections of fengshui, governance, and history, providing a rich intellectual exchange for attendees.
We invite you to watch the recording and delve into this fascinating discussion. Don’t miss the opportunity to learn more about the intricate relationships between fengshui, law, and the Qing dynasty.
Watch the full event here
Stay connected for updates on future ISCSD events and recordings by subscribing to our YouTube channel and visiting our website regularly!