The China History Podcast

In this first part of a two-part series, we examine the forgotten life of William Mesny. Drawing from author David Leffman's 2016 book "The Mercenary Mandarin," Laszlo discusses an unknown character f...

10 Jan 201737min

In this episode, Laszlo explains a little about the "Gagi Nang", the 自己人 or 家己弄, known the world over as the Teochew (Chiu Chow or Chaozhou) people. Their language and culture are unique. Their food a...

30 Nov 201637min

In America, we have Washington Irving, Mark Twain, Hemingway, and so on. In China, Su Dongpo, (also known referred to as Su Shi) would be mentioned when rattling off their best of the best. He was def...

28 Okt 201645min

In this latest episode, Laszlo finally gets around to the oft-requested subject of piracy in early 19th century China. Pirates had been a fact of life going back to the most olden days. Mid to late Qi...

13 Okt 201633min

Laszlo offers up the exciting conclusion to the 3-part series introducing the Tong Wars. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

3 Sep 201641min

In this Part 2 episode, the Tong Wars begin in earnest. The first and second Tong Wars are discussed. "Tong Wars, The Untold Story of Vice, Money and Murder in New York's Chinatown" Scott Seligman's A...

29 Aug 201640min

In this episode, Laszlo explains the Tong Wars of New York's Chinatown. With the help of Scott Seligman's latest book we go back to late 19th - early 20th century America and focus on New York's China...

27 Jul 201639min

Laszlo finishes up the story of the Yuan Dynasty, founded in 1271. The parts of China not yet conquered were done in by 1276 and the last holdouts went by 1279. But the Great Yuan didn't last long. Th...

18 Jun 201659min