Clear History Lectures

Author: Meng Sen
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-07-01
Features: Destructive and reconstruction are the two major themes of 20th-century historiography. The value of Mr. Meng Sen's work lies in taking a solid step towards the reconstruction of the discipline of historiography. Lectures on the History of the Qing Dynasty is a representative work of his research on Qing history. Through the examination of various historical sources and applying the rigorous and meticulous methods of the Qianlong-Jiaqing School, Mr. Meng Sen determined the origins of the Qing ancestors, revealed the true nature of the Eight Banners system, and analyzed the core issues of Qing history. He powerfully argued the process of the Qing Dynasty's rise from founding to decline and its significant historical facts, recreating the "martial prowess and cultural achievements, vast territory and talented people" of the Qing Dynasty. This book was completed in the early years of the Republic of China, during an era of prevailing skepticism and destructive forces. With its rigorous academic style, it objectively established the indispensable position of Qing history in the discipline of historiography and is considered an authoritative work on Qing history. Mr. Meng Sen's attitude and methods in writing history serve as a model for contemporary historians.