Book excerpt: A study of the history and historiography of the Chinese city of Harbin, which has been ruled by Russia, Chinese warlords, Japan, the Soviet Union, and by the Chinese Communists. Chapters deal with the period before the construction of the Chinese Eastern Railway, the era of Russian dominance, the Japanese occupation, and the years since the Communist takeover in 1946, and discuss local writings. Includes translations of articles by Chinese historians, and discusses the historiographical framework for local history writing. Paper edition (unseen), $22.50. Annotation copyright by Book News, Inc., Portland, OR