Brian L. Evans – författare

Scholar and diplomat Brian L. Evans gives us the first English-language biography of Chester A. Ronning (1894-1984): diplomat, politician, educator, and one of Canada's major public figures. This fascinating story depicts Ronning, the man who received many honours, and deepens readers' knowledge of Canada's post-World War II diplomacy and Canada-China relations. Ronning was an extraordinary Canadian who combined Chinese sensibility with Norwegian calm practicality and American drive. His life journey was entwined with the history of China over many decades. Based on written materials, historical documents, and many hours of interviews with Ronning, his friends, and fellow politicians, The Remarkable Chester Ronning offers both a thorough and entertaining biography and a lens through which to view international politics.

A memoir of one academic''s lifelong fascination with China, examining China''s history as well as its relationship with Canada.Brian Evans blends memoir and history to draw a vivid picture of China and its cultural outreach over the past three decades. His historical and sociological insights as student, scholar, and administrator form an authentic commentary as he discusses China and the Cold War; the Cultural Revolution; the post-Mao transformation of China; Canada''s relations with China; the cultural impact of the overseas Chinese community on the Canadian Prairies; development of China studies in Canada and elsewhere; the current impact of China on Canadian higher education; and recent Chinese history seen within a broader context. With this book, Evans seeks to make a contribution to the understanding of the nature and wide range of Canada-China relations, an area in which he himself has played a role.Praise for Pursuing China"It''s no dry academic tome. Instead, Evans mixes his analysis of China''s history and geopolitics with raucous yarns, recounting his personal adventures and misadventures, at home and abroad." —Paula Simons, Edmonton Journal"As a memoirist, Evans has two great strengths. The first is his sense of humour, which brings us several wonderful anecdotes. . . . Evans'' second strength is his unflinching honesty." —Diana Lary, Pacific Affairs, Vol. 85, No. 4"[Evans''] book makes compelling reading." —George Fetherling, Diplomat and International Canada, Summer 2012

In June of 2010, the University of Alberta's Bruce Peel Special Collections Library mounted an exhibit of documents, photographs, artifacts, and ephemera which provided significant insight into Chinese pioneer life on the Canadian Prairies. Written by exhibit curator Brian Evans, the accompanying exhibit catalogue chronicles the stories of these immigrants as they welcomed new opportunities, struggled with racism, and became integral parts of the communities in which they lived.