In the latter half of the fourteenth century, at one end of the Eurasian continent, the stage was not yet set for the emergence of modern nation-states. At the

This engaging, deeply informed book provides the first concise history of one of China's most important eras. Leading scholar John W. Dardess offers a thematica

Creates a portrait of the world and culture of late imperial China by examining the lives of seven prominent officials and members of the Ming ruling class

A one-stop, comprehensive account of the key developments in the phonological history of Chinese.

After overthrowing the Mongol Yuan dynasty, Zhu Yuanzhang, the founder of the Ming dynasty (1368-1644), proclaimed that he had obtained the Mandate of Heaven (T