Research on Fangzhi of Southern Zhili in the Ming Dynasty

Author: Zhang Yingpin
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2005-11-01
Features: This book is the first academic monograph to comprehensively, systematically, and deeply discuss the local gazetteers of Southern Zhili during the Ming Dynasty. Guided by Marxist historical materialism, it provides detailed discussions and analyses on the reasons for the flourishing compilation of local gazetteers in Southern Zhili during the Ming Dynasty, the compilation, continuation, and organization of gazetteers, the structure, innovation, and development of gazetteers, the content and value of gazetteers, and the historical status of Southern Zhili gazetteers. The book is rich in content, clear in perspective, and full of original insights that often reveal new perspectives previously unexplored by others. The academic style is rigorous and meticulous, with substantial evidence, thorough arguments, and clear expression. In terms of research methodology, it is based on empirical evidence, combining micro-studies with macro-studies, and employs comparative methods to draw appropriate conclusions and insights.
—Zhang Xianqing
Local gazetteers are one of the important carriers for inheriting the five-thousand-year civilization of China. In the history of Chinese local gazetteers, the development of gazetteers during the Ming Dynasty holds significant importance as a bridge between the past and the present. This work takes the local gazetteers of economically and culturally developed regions in Southern Zhili during the Ming Dynasty as its research subject, exploring their characteristics and patterns of development, thereby reflecting the basic trajectory of the development of Ming Dynasty gazetteers. The topic itself holds high academic value and significance. The work is rich in evidence, citing nearly 400 references, reflecting a solid foundation for research and demonstrating the author's depth of knowledge and experience, rather than being a superficial effort.
The work covers a broad scope and involves complex issues. In its discussions, the author not only addresses the central thesis but also touches upon many related fields, proposing his own insights. Overall, this is an excellent academic work on the study of Ming Dynasty gazetteers, offering valuable reference for research on the history of Chinese local gazetteers.
—Wang Tianyou
This book is a specialized monograph that conducts a comprehensive and systematic study of local gazetteers in the Southern Zhili region during the Ming Dynasty. Guided by historical materialism and historical dialectics, it provides detailed analyses and discussions on the reasons for the flourishing of Southern Zhili gazetteers during the Ming Dynasty, their developmental characteristics, organizational structures, content, formats, historical value, and historical status. The book is rich in content, full of original insights, and highly innovative. The entire work is logically clear, with abundant evidence, particularly the appropriate application of empirical research methods, meticulous verification of the number of compiled gazetteers in Southern Zhili, and the newly created two comprehensive tables—Southern Zhili prefecture, county gazetteers, specialized gazetteers, landscape gazetteers, and township gazetteers, etc. All of these contributions hold significant reference value, academic value, and historical value.