In-depth and scholarly discussion of the first successful European mission to China. A little too scholarly sometimes, with detailed quotes from Ricci's many books and letters, but a necessary source if you want to know more about how the earliest Christians established a foothold in China. ( )

It must be very difficult to make the story of Matteo Ricci's life and mission to Ming Dynasty China dry and boring, but Mary Laven succeeds very well. ( )

There has undoubtedly been a lot written about Matteo Ricci and his time in China during the 16th & 17th centuries. Mission to China by Mary Laven is my first introduction to the life of this Jesuit missionary. The book aims to convey the idea of perception of the Jesuit venture, from both European & Chinese eyes. At the outset, Mary expresses this notion of perception rather well with an intriguing account of the city of Cambridge and its surrounds, as compiled by Russian diplomats at the height of the Cold War.

Chapter 1 details the historical period in which Ricci lived and the guiding beliefs of the Jesuit order. The author outlines their first optimistic steps into Chinese territory and the somewhat disappointing attempts at converting the local population to the Christian faith. It becomes clear that these Europeans and their Christian faith were seen more of a curiosity to the Chinese than anything else, whilst raising fear and distrust within certain levels of officialdom.

Chapter 2 concentrates on the ultimately failed undertaking to import impressive gifts from the west so as to dazzle the Chinese emperor. This was seen as a critical step in gaining the attention, and desired favour, of the emperor to further their proselytising.

Chapter 3 deals primarily with the notion of friendship versus networking and how Ricci valued his Jesuit friends far more than the Chinese. Friendship in Ricci’s circumstance was seen primarily as a means to promote their Christian religion further.

Chapter 4 provides a view on what clearly became a ‘scientific apostasy’ for the Jesuits. Religious sermons were somewhat tailored to the local population, conveniently missing those elements that Ricci and his contemporaries thought would either confuse or enflame local sensibilities.

Chapter 5 highlights the missionaries somewhat strained interactions with the many eunuchs who held positions of influence and power in the both imperial and government circles. There was clear distrust and outright abhorrence of their place in Chinese society.

Chapter 6 finishes with the authors thoughts on religious devotion in this Jesuit context and the disjuncture between the theory and practice of gaining converts.

This a worthy book if you are interested in the broad Jesuit mission and gaining an understanding of the insights from both cultures as they interact. It is however, somewhat disappointing if you're looking for a historical account of the life of Matteo Ricci and the Jesuit undertaking in the Far East. ( )