The Rise and Fall of the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom

The Rise and Fall of the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom traces the development of the Taiping Rebellion, offering a sweeping portrait of China and the world in the late Qing era. The author brings the characters vividly to life, from Taiping leaders Hong Xiuquan, Shi Dakai, Yang Xiuqing, and Chen Yucheng to Qing officials at every level, including Zuo Zongtang, Lin Zexu, Zeng Guofan, and Li Hongzhang, as well as leaders of organizations such as the Tiandihui and the Small Swords Society. The key figures of every late Qing social class, along with their deeds, ideas, and local customs, are all brought to life in this book. Here you’ll find the ways of officials and merchants, struggles for power, schemes and betrayals, and tales of passionate heroism!