The Ming Dynasty: Three Hundred Years of China's Rise and Fall

This book focuses on the three-hundred-year rise and fall of the Ming dynasty, linking key historical turning points in accessible prose. From Zhu Yuanzhang's rise from a herdboy to emperor and Zhu Di's usurpation of the throne during the Jingnan Campaign, to the Ren and Xuan reigns, the Tumu Crisis, and Yu Qian's defense of Beijing, it clearly presents the dynasty's ups and downs.

The book explains political power struggles, including the contest for influence between the Grand Secretariat and the Eastern Depot, and the conflict between vassal princes and imperial authority. It also covers military campaigns, including expeditions against the Mongols and Zheng He's voyages to the Western Ocean. It brings to life a host of vivid historical figures, balancing historical sources with readability. Breaking away from the dry conventions of traditional historical narratives, it invites readers to experience the Ming dynasty's glory and turmoil, and to sense the human nature and strategy behind history.