With people as its needle and history as its thread, this book weaves a sweeping portrait of the Qing dynasty's rise and fall over three centuries. From dragon robes and phoenix crowns in the Forbidden City to the everyday bustle of alleyways and lanes, it takes historical research as its foundation and literature as its wings. Through the shifting fortunes of emperors, ministers, and extraordinary people from all walks of life, it sketches the twilight and rebirth of a feudal dynasty. As it delves into forgotten corners of history, it reveals the faint glimmers of humanity; amid its vivid cast of characters, it conceals the secrets of an age. A biographical work that makes history tangible and real.
