Stephen R. Platt
@stephenplatt.bsky.social
Historian. Books include Imperial Twilight (Knopf, 2018) and Autumn in the Heavenly Kingdom (Knopf, 2012). New book: The Raider (Knopf, 2025). https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/618088/the-raider-by-stephen-r-platt/
Pinned
Happy to report that I've got a new book out, The Raider.
Saddened by the passing of John Grady, an incredibly collegial, supportive and public-minded editor and writer. It was an honor to get to know him through the Biographers International military history roundtable.
In memory of longtime contributor John Grady, who recently passed away, we share here his final piece for the Independent, an interview with @stephenplatt.bsky.social (THE RAIDER, @aaknopf.bsky.social): www.washingtonindependentreviewofbooks.com/features/an-... #booksky
October 7, 2025 at 11:44 PM
Saddened by the passing of John Grady, an incredibly collegial, supportive and public-minded editor and writer. It was an honor to get to know him through the Biographers International military history roundtable.
Posting somewhat belatedly, here's a piece I wrote for the Boston Globe about Evans Carlson's visions for the US and China in WWII. www.bostonglobe.com/2025/07/11/o...
When the US was gung ho for China - The Boston Globe
Right after World War II, a crucial alliance between the two countries fell apart. We are still paying the price.
www.bostonglobe.com
August 1, 2025 at 2:36 PM
Posting somewhat belatedly, here's a piece I wrote for the Boston Globe about Evans Carlson's visions for the US and China in WWII. www.bostonglobe.com/2025/07/11/o...
New interview just posted, talking about Evans Carlson with the School of War podcast. Great conversation with a really knowledgeable host. open.spotify.com/episode/4nlM...
Ep 219: Stephen Platt on Mao's China and the Original Marine Raider
School of War · Episode
open.spotify.com
August 1, 2025 at 2:05 PM
New interview just posted, talking about Evans Carlson with the School of War podcast. Great conversation with a really knowledgeable host. open.spotify.com/episode/4nlM...
Reposted by Stephen R. Platt
#histbookchat Having recently read "The Raider" by @stephenplatt.bsky.social, I'm chuffed that @ww2tv.bsky.social will have Stephen on #WW2TV to chat about the extraordinary #USMC Evans Carlson on August 4.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=IoHH...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=IoHH...
The Raider: Evans Carlson USMC and US-China relations in WWII
YouTube video by WW2TV
www.youtube.com
July 25, 2025 at 4:33 PM
#histbookchat Having recently read "The Raider" by @stephenplatt.bsky.social, I'm chuffed that @ww2tv.bsky.social will have Stephen on #WW2TV to chat about the extraordinary #USMC Evans Carlson on August 4.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=IoHH...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=IoHH...
Reposted by Stephen R. Platt
An Interview with Stephen R. Platt. www.washingtonindependentreviewofbooks.com/features/an-... @aaknopf.bsky.social @stephenplatt.bsky.social #Booksky
June 10, 2025 at 5:33 PM
An Interview with Stephen R. Platt. www.washingtonindependentreviewofbooks.com/features/an-... @aaknopf.bsky.social @stephenplatt.bsky.social #Booksky
Reposted by Stephen R. Platt
A street scene in late Qing-dynasty Beijing—layers of commerce, Peking dust, and daily life. Likely around Qianmen, ca 1900.
June 4, 2025 at 12:52 PM
A street scene in late Qing-dynasty Beijing—layers of commerce, Peking dust, and daily life. Likely around Qianmen, ca 1900.
Reposted by Stephen R. Platt
The new Xi Zhongxun biography by @josephtorigian.bsky.social (published by @stanfordpress.bsky.social) is an amazing achievement and has so much to teach us about CCP politics and 20th century Chinese history. My thoughts:
The Party’s Interests Come First: Five Takeaways
Today is publication day for The Party’s Interests Come First: The Life of Xi Zhongxun, Father of Xi Jinping, by Joseph Torigian. Those of us who occupy nerdy China circles have long been anticipat…
mauracunningham.org
June 3, 2025 at 6:22 PM
The new Xi Zhongxun biography by @josephtorigian.bsky.social (published by @stanfordpress.bsky.social) is an amazing achievement and has so much to teach us about CCP politics and 20th century Chinese history. My thoughts:
Reposted by Stephen R. Platt
Lively and thoughtful review just up at @lareviewofbooks.bsky.social by @kellyahammond.bsky.social on The Raider, gripping new trade book on the complex life of an American soldier by @stephenplatt.bsky.social & an edited collection on US-China relations 1937-1949 lareviewofbooks.org/article/gras...
Grassroots and Guerrillas | Los Angeles Review of Books
Kelly Hammond reviews Stephen R. Platt’s “The Raider: The Untold Story of a Renegade Marine and the Birth of U.S. Special Forces in World War II” alongside other new work about East Asia in World War...
lareviewofbooks.org
May 30, 2025 at 12:41 PM
Lively and thoughtful review just up at @lareviewofbooks.bsky.social by @kellyahammond.bsky.social on The Raider, gripping new trade book on the complex life of an American soldier by @stephenplatt.bsky.social & an edited collection on US-China relations 1937-1949 lareviewofbooks.org/article/gras...
Reposted by Stephen R. Platt
USMC 3rd Battalion 4th Marines march in the Shanghai International Settlement, 1933
May 27, 2025 at 8:56 PM
USMC 3rd Battalion 4th Marines march in the Shanghai International Settlement, 1933
Reposted by Stephen R. Platt
A @newbooksnetwork.bsky.social interview on my to listen list (first in the military history category), this one with @stephenplatt.bsky.social on his new book about China & WWII and a many faceted American soldier newbooksnetwork.com/the-raider
Stephen R. Platt, "The Raider: The Untold Story of a Renegade Marine and the Birth of U.S. Special Forces in World War II" (Knopf, 2025) - New Books Network
newbooksnetwork.com
May 27, 2025 at 5:07 AM
A @newbooksnetwork.bsky.social interview on my to listen list (first in the military history category), this one with @stephenplatt.bsky.social on his new book about China & WWII and a many faceted American soldier newbooksnetwork.com/the-raider
One of my favorite interviews I've done on The Raider just posted today. The Curious Man's podcast. Great host, insightful questions. podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/s...
Stephen R. Platt Interview
Podcast Episode · Thecuriousmanspodcast · 05/20/2025 · 1h 2m
podcasts.apple.com
May 20, 2025 at 4:16 PM
One of my favorite interviews I've done on The Raider just posted today. The Curious Man's podcast. Great host, insightful questions. podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/s...
Here's an interview I did with Scott Rank at History Unplugged: "How a Marine Embedded with Mao Zedong’s Guerrillas in the 30s Became WW2’s Most Celebrated Special Forces Leader"
www.parthenonpodcast.com/history-unpl...
www.parthenonpodcast.com/history-unpl...
How a Marine Embedded with Mao Zedong’s Guerrillas in the 30s Became WW2’s Most Celebrated Special Forces Leader - History Unplugged Podcast - Scott Rank
He was a gutsy old man.” “A corker,” said another. “You couldn’t find anyone better.” They talked about him in hushed ton...
www.parthenonpodcast.com
May 19, 2025 at 4:56 PM
Here's an interview I did with Scott Rank at History Unplugged: "How a Marine Embedded with Mao Zedong’s Guerrillas in the 30s Became WW2’s Most Celebrated Special Forces Leader"
www.parthenonpodcast.com/history-unpl...
www.parthenonpodcast.com/history-unpl...
Reposted by Stephen R. Platt
Read an excerpt from @stephenplatt.bsky.social's new book "The Raider": chinabooksreview.com/2025/05/15/t...
May 16, 2025 at 12:02 PM
Read an excerpt from @stephenplatt.bsky.social's new book "The Raider": chinabooksreview.com/2025/05/15/t...
Talking China, opium and empire with the inimitable Will and Anita at the Empire podcast. This was the final episode of their marvelous "Victorian Narcos" series: podcasts.apple.com/tm/podcast/v...
Victorian Narcos: From Opium To Fentanyl (Ep 9)
Podcast Episode · Empire · 14/05/2025 · 45m
podcasts.apple.com
May 16, 2025 at 2:22 PM
Talking China, opium and empire with the inimitable Will and Anita at the Empire podcast. This was the final episode of their marvelous "Victorian Narcos" series: podcasts.apple.com/tm/podcast/v...
Wide-ranging interview with the excellent War Books podcast: www.youtube.com/watch?v=GkqV...
World War II – China & the Birth of the U.S. Special Forces – Stephen R. Platt
YouTube video by War Books Podcast - by A.J. Woodhams
www.youtube.com
May 16, 2025 at 2:06 PM
Wide-ranging interview with the excellent War Books podcast: www.youtube.com/watch?v=GkqV...
Here's an excerpt from my new book: chinabooksreview.com/2025/05/15/t...
An American Marine In China’s Red Army | China Books Review
In 1937, a U.S. military officer set off with Mao Zedong’s troops to raid Japanese-occupied territory in the north of China. The Communist guerillas, he felt, could be a model for America's military t...
chinabooksreview.com
May 15, 2025 at 6:42 PM
Here's an excerpt from my new book: chinabooksreview.com/2025/05/15/t...
Reposted by Stephen R. Platt
In 1937, a U.S. military officer set off with Mao Zedong’s troops to raid Japanese-occupied territory in the north of China. The Communist guerillas, he felt, could be a model for America's military to emulate.
Read an excerpt from @stephenplatt.bsky.social: chinabooksreview.com/2025/05/15/t...
Read an excerpt from @stephenplatt.bsky.social: chinabooksreview.com/2025/05/15/t...
chinabooksreview.com
May 15, 2025 at 12:03 PM
In 1937, a U.S. military officer set off with Mao Zedong’s troops to raid Japanese-occupied territory in the north of China. The Communist guerillas, he felt, could be a model for America's military to emulate.
Read an excerpt from @stephenplatt.bsky.social: chinabooksreview.com/2025/05/15/t...
Read an excerpt from @stephenplatt.bsky.social: chinabooksreview.com/2025/05/15/t...
Reposted by Stephen R. Platt
Out today!
🏖️ FEVER BEACH by Carl Hiaasen
🌊 THE BOY FROM THE SEA by Garrett Carr
🚲 LIFE AND ART by Richard Russo
🕯️ HOW TO BE WELL by Amy Larocca
🪖 THE RAIDER by Stephen R. Platt
👁️ NEVER LET ME GO (20th Anniversary Special Edition) by Kazuo Ishiguro
🏖️ FEVER BEACH by Carl Hiaasen
🌊 THE BOY FROM THE SEA by Garrett Carr
🚲 LIFE AND ART by Richard Russo
🕯️ HOW TO BE WELL by Amy Larocca
🪖 THE RAIDER by Stephen R. Platt
👁️ NEVER LET ME GO (20th Anniversary Special Edition) by Kazuo Ishiguro
May 13, 2025 at 12:52 PM
Out today!
🏖️ FEVER BEACH by Carl Hiaasen
🌊 THE BOY FROM THE SEA by Garrett Carr
🚲 LIFE AND ART by Richard Russo
🕯️ HOW TO BE WELL by Amy Larocca
🪖 THE RAIDER by Stephen R. Platt
👁️ NEVER LET ME GO (20th Anniversary Special Edition) by Kazuo Ishiguro
🏖️ FEVER BEACH by Carl Hiaasen
🌊 THE BOY FROM THE SEA by Garrett Carr
🚲 LIFE AND ART by Richard Russo
🕯️ HOW TO BE WELL by Amy Larocca
🪖 THE RAIDER by Stephen R. Platt
👁️ NEVER LET ME GO (20th Anniversary Special Edition) by Kazuo Ishiguro
Happy to report that I've got a new book out, The Raider.
May 13, 2025 at 8:40 PM
Happy to report that I've got a new book out, The Raider.
Congratulations to Edward Wong for winning the first-ever Baifang Schell Book Prize!
We're delighted to announce the winners (and honorable mentions) for the 2024 Baifang Schell Book Prize! chinabooksreview.com/2025/05/13/2...
NONFICTION AWARD: Edward Wong for "At the Edge of Empire"
TRANSLATED LITERATURE AWARD: Yáng Shuāng-zǐ and Lin King (translator) for "Taiwan Travelogue"
NONFICTION AWARD: Edward Wong for "At the Edge of Empire"
TRANSLATED LITERATURE AWARD: Yáng Shuāng-zǐ and Lin King (translator) for "Taiwan Travelogue"
chinabooksreview.com
May 13, 2025 at 1:45 PM
Congratulations to Edward Wong for winning the first-ever Baifang Schell Book Prize!
Reposted by Stephen R. Platt
Come for the wild story, stay for the history!
Tickets: berkshireolli.org/event-6162274
Prof. Stephen R. Platt on his book:
The Raider: The Untold Story of a Renegade Marine and the Birth of U.S. Special Forces in World War II
Thursday, June 5, 2025 at 7:00 p.m. ET
Online via Zoom
Tickets: berkshireolli.org/event-6162274
Prof. Stephen R. Platt on his book:
The Raider: The Untold Story of a Renegade Marine and the Birth of U.S. Special Forces in World War II
Thursday, June 5, 2025 at 7:00 p.m. ET
Online via Zoom
May 6, 2025 at 2:52 PM
Come for the wild story, stay for the history!
Tickets: berkshireolli.org/event-6162274
Prof. Stephen R. Platt on his book:
The Raider: The Untold Story of a Renegade Marine and the Birth of U.S. Special Forces in World War II
Thursday, June 5, 2025 at 7:00 p.m. ET
Online via Zoom
Tickets: berkshireolli.org/event-6162274
Prof. Stephen R. Platt on his book:
The Raider: The Untold Story of a Renegade Marine and the Birth of U.S. Special Forces in World War II
Thursday, June 5, 2025 at 7:00 p.m. ET
Online via Zoom
Reposted by Stephen R. Platt
Very interesting podcast episode (Trump as Qianlong??). Podcast doesn't really do justice to how far EIC and British govt were apart on China (much better in @stephenplatt.bsky.social book), but A+ snark from podcast host
April 22, 2025 at 11:48 PM
Very interesting podcast episode (Trump as Qianlong??). Podcast doesn't really do justice to how far EIC and British govt were apart on China (much better in @stephenplatt.bsky.social book), but A+ snark from podcast host
This is probably the most fun I've had at a book talk. Imperial Twilight, in conversation with William Dalrymple at the Jaipur Literature Festival. www.youtube.com/watch?v=4IPr...
Imperial Twilight: The Opium War and the end of China’s Last Golden Age
YouTube video by Jaipur Literature Festival
www.youtube.com
April 21, 2025 at 9:00 PM
This is probably the most fun I've had at a book talk. Imperial Twilight, in conversation with William Dalrymple at the Jaipur Literature Festival. www.youtube.com/watch?v=4IPr...
Reposted by Stephen R. Platt
US Marines in winter uniform by Soochow (Suzhou) Creek atbthe foot of the Garden Bridge (Waibaidu) during the 1932 January 28 incident aka the Shanghai incident (January 28 – March 3)
April 21, 2025 at 8:31 PM
US Marines in winter uniform by Soochow (Suzhou) Creek atbthe foot of the Garden Bridge (Waibaidu) during the 1932 January 28 incident aka the Shanghai incident (January 28 – March 3)