Chapter 1: Frontiers
Chapter 2: Emperors
Chapter 3: Governance
Chapter 4: Literati
Chapter 5: Outlaws
Further Reading
John W. Dardess is professor emeritus of history at the University of Kansas.
Dardess’s achievement is that he has condensed the whole story into
a neat book under 150 pages long. . . . Dardess’s focus on why the
Ming dynasty endured, as opposed to why it failed, is both
refreshing and necessary. . . . Ming China will inspire the student
and challenge the specialist and is thus a very positive
contribution.
*Journal of Asian Studies*
In this deft, elegant overview of the Ming Dynasty, Dardess (Univ.
of Kansas), one of the most eminent living scholars of the period,
effortlessly compresses over two and a half centuries of history
into a mere 148 pages of text, including notes for further reading.
Five chapters cover the Ming empire from its frontiers to its
center, and from the apex of power down to the level of bandits and
outlaws. Dardess argues that the dynasty was a powerful and
enduring polity whose culture was shaped by the chronic steppe
threat on its northern border and the efforts of the literati at
the center of society to adapt to changing economic and political
realities. . . . The single best introduction to the Ming Dynasty
available. An excellent starting point for those interested in the
period. Summing Up: Highly recommended. All levels/libraries.
*CHOICE*
An entirely original and fresh recounting of Ming history. The
genius of the work is in its innovative organization, which
economically structures the story into five lively chapters that
build logically one upon the other to move vertically down the
strata of Ming society while developing a chronological narrative
within each chapter. This much-needed book will appeal both to
general readers and to students of Chinese history and culture.
*Edward L. Farmer, University of Minnesota*
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