1976年版《豐腴之年：舊中國的輓歌》作者 George N. Kates The Years That Were Fat: The Last of Old China by George N. Kates (1976 MIT Press Hardcover Edition)

【內容簡介 / Synopsis】

 The Years That Were Fat offers a deeply personal and immersive account of life in Peking during the 1930s. The author, George N. Kates, provides a vivid exploration of Chinese society, encompassing daily household customs, the intricacies of the Chinese language, and the vibrant culture of a city on the cusp of profound historical change.

 《The Years That Were Fat》提供了一段極具個人色彩且身臨其境的 1930 年代北平生活回憶。作者 George N. Kates 生動地探索了當時的中國社會，內容涵蓋日常生活習俗、漢語語言的奧妙，以及一座正處於深刻歷史變革邊緣城市的繁榮文化。

【歷史背景與重要性 / Historical Background & Significance】

 Originally copyrighted in 1952, this work is recognized by eminent historians such as John K. Fairbank for its unique baseline perspective on pre-revolutionary China. Kates, unlike many "old China hands" of his time, focused on deeply integrating into the scholarly and traditional life of Peking, offering a rare, affectionate, and insightful view of a civilization that has largely vanished.

 本書初版於 1952 年，被 John K. Fairbank 等著名歷史學家公認為研究革命前中國的獨特基線視角。與當時許多「老中國通」不同，Kates 致力於深入融入北平的學術與傳統生活，為讀者呈現了一段即將消逝的文明中，那份罕見、深情且具洞察力的紀錄。

【書本狀態 / Condition Report】

 This is the 1976 MIT Press hardcover edition. The dust jacket shows significant wear, including a noticeable tear at the top edge. The interior pages include a detailed map of Peking and handwritten notes on the final blank page, documenting specific references within the text.

 此為 1976 年麻省理工學院出版社（MIT Press）出版的精裝本。書衣（dust jacket）有明顯磨損，包含頂部邊緣的顯著撕裂。內頁附有一張詳細的北平地圖，且在最後的空白頁面上有手寫筆記，記錄了書中的具體參考資訊。

【傳承紀錄 / Provenance】

 The volume contains handwritten indices and annotations on the endpapers, probably by previous owner Bill Watkins, suggesting it was once part of a focused research or study collection.

 書籍環襯頁留有手寫索引與註釋，顯示此書曾作為Bill Watkins 個人研究或學術蒐藏的一部分。