Wu Han on Ming History

Wu Han on Ming History brings together several works on Ming history by the renowned scholar Wu Han, arranging and editing them to present readers with a fuller, more concise account of the Ming dynasty. The book covers Ming politics, institutions, society, historical figures, and more. Grounded in authentic historical sources, it offers a penetrating account of the basic contours and development of Ming history, making it a work of considerable scholarly value. Its writing is also clear and accessible, making for highly enjoyable reading. The book is divided into four parts. The first, "Political Trends," systematically presents the main historical developments and major events of the Ming, from the founding of the dynasty by the Hongwu Emperor and the Yongle Emperor's move of the capital to Beijing, to the early Ming's political terror and the late Ming rebel bands. The second, "Institutional Change," details the Ming military, the Embroidered Uniform Guard and the Eastern and Western Depots, the civil service examinations and gentry privileges, the collapse of the early Ming guard system, and other major institutions. The third, "Everyday Life," discusses economic, cultural, and social issues, including the emergence of capitalism, Zheng He's voyages to the Western Ocean, peasants in the Ming, the Ming paper currency in circulation, and brief assessments of the History of the Ming. The fourth, "Figures of the Age," collects biographical accounts of several notable Ming figures, including Hai Rui, Qi Jiguang, Tan Qian, Wei Zhongxian, and Gu Yanwu. Through their stories, readers can also glimpse the historical world of their time.