Beyond the Great Wall: The Northern Frontier and Ming Border Defense, 1368–1644

This book is a major work by renowned Sinologist Dardess. Drawing on extensive historical sources, it recounts the history of frontier defense in the Ming dynasty and offers an in-depth analysis of Ming political institutions, local administration, and military thought from the perspective of the history of warfare. The book divides the history of the Ming dynasty’s northern frontier defenses into fourteen periods, examining how emperors, officials, and generals thought through, debated, and made decisions about practical frontier defense issues. It explores how the Ming dynasty preserved its territorial integrity throughout 276 years of rule. This book offers a unique perspective on the rise and fall of the Ming dynasty. It helps readers gain a comprehensive understanding of the Ming northern frontier defense system, trace changes in the dynasty’s military decision-making and defensive doctrines, and consider the effects of northern frontier defense on Ming politics and the economy.