The Qing History (Complete in Two Volumes)

This renowned history of the Qing Dynasty combines Part One, compiled by the famous historian Zheng Tianting, and Part Two, compiled by Nan Bingwen, into a complete work. It begins by tracing the origins and development of the Manchu people and the rise of the Manchus, and ends on the eve of the Opium War.

Drawing on the academic insights and research of its contributors, this book incorporates the findings of Qing history scholarship. Its content is rich and detailed, its prose lively and concise, and its length moderate. Balancing scholarly depth with accessibility, it has a distinctive style and significant academic value. It is one of the volumes in Shanghai People's Publishing House's Chinese Dynastic History Series.

The book has several notable strengths. First, its structure is well organized. Historical topics with a degree of independence are discussed in their own chapters and sections, while a clear chronological framework is paired with key events, making the book easier to study. Second, it is rich in detail while keeping its focus clear. It skillfully highlights distinctive aspects of Qing history and weaves them throughout its chapters, describing historical phenomena from multiple perspectives. Third, its straightforward, solid account of the historical facts incorporates earlier scholarly findings while offering independent insights, leaving readers with much to reflect on.