Qing Dynasty Comprehensive History (5 Volumes)

Author: Xiao Yishan
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-03-01
Features: The General History of the Qing Dynasty was written by the renowned Chinese scholar Xiao Yishan. Xiao Yishan (1902-1978), whose name was Guishen and who styled himself Feiyu, was from Tongshan, Jiangsu (now Xuzhou). He graduated from Peking University in 1924 and traveled to Europe for research in 1932. He held professorships at Peking University, Tsinghua University, and Central University. In 1948, he moved to Taiwan and dedicated himself to historical research, publishing numerous works. The General History of the Qing Dynasty has garnered significant attention in academia since its publication in the 1920s. Over the following decades, "new historical materials were discovered, such as the organization of archives from the Military Affairs Office and the Grand Secretariat, the study of Taiping Heavenly Kingdom relics, and the public display of secret archives from various countries—all of which were used to correct inaccuracies in historical accounts. Missing chapters were also supplemented, and the text was expanded by hundreds of thousands of words," resulting in the edition we see today. The most notable feature of this book is its rich documentation and clear narrative, providing readers with a comprehensive understanding of the Qing Dynasty's politics, economy, society, military, diplomacy, culture, and livelihoods. It also serves as an invaluable academic work for those engaged in historical research, particularly for those studying Qing history.