Scholarly trends at the end of the Ming Dynasty and the early Qing Dynasty

Author: Xie Guozheng
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-07-01
Features: During the period of major social upheaval at the turn of the Ming and Qing dynasties, intellectuals exhibited a variety of behaviors and transformations. These manifestations reflected the changes in the political, economic, and academic thought of the time. Xie Guozheng, a renowned historian in China, possesses a unique and insightful approach to the study of the Ming and Qing dynasties. The author often delves into obscure and overlooked sources to uncover the broader social context of this era, thereby conducting in-depth research on the intellectual trends, living conditions, and political circumstances of intellectuals during the late Ming and early Qing periods. For instance, a low-price rice ticket from the 48th year of the Wanli reign can reveal the economic development and political system of the late Ming, while the peasant uprising organizations "Snuff Bottle Gang" and "Black Dragon Society" during the late Ming can shed light on the class contradictions and struggles of the time. The ability to sift through scattered and inconsistent historical materials, combining rigorous source criticism with a strong sense of historical humanism, is the best testament to the author's profound expertise in historical research and traditional historiographical methods. Reading this book allows one to appreciate and experience the beauty of this.