Wu Han on Ming Dynasty History (2013)

Wu Han on Ming History brings together several works on Ming history by the renowned historian Wu Han, organizing and refining them to present readers with a fuller, more concise account of the Ming dynasty. The book covers every aspect of the Ming era, from politics and institutions to society and prominent figures. Drawing on authentic historical sources, it offers a profound look at the basic character and development of Ming history, making it a work of considerable academic value. At the same time, its clear, accessible prose makes it a pleasure to read.

The book is divided into four parts. The first, “The Political Landscape,” systematically explores the main historical developments and major events of the Ming dynasty, including the founding of the dynasty by the Hongwu Emperor, the Yongle Emperor’s move of the capital to Beijing, the terror politics of the early Ming, and the rebel bands of the late Ming. The second, “Institutional Change,” details the evolution of the dynasty’s major institutions, including the military, the Embroidered Uniform Guard and the Eastern and Western Depots, the imperial examinations and gentry privileges, and the collapse of the early Ming garrison system. The third, “A Portrait of Society,” examines economic, cultural, and social issues such as the emergence of capitalism, Zheng He’s voyages to the Western Ocean, the lives of Ming farmers, the circulation of the Great Ming Treasure Note, and brief assessments of the History of Ming. The fourth, “Figures Who Shaped an Era,” collects biographical accounts of several representative Ming figures, including Hai Rui, Qi Jiguang, Tan Qian, Wei Zhongxian, and Gu Yanwu. Through their stories, readers can also glimpse the historical world they inhabited.