Mr. Meng Xinshi (Meng Sen) applied rigorous textual criticism to Qing history with exceptional success. Given the abundance of materials at his disposal, he was able to provide definitive conclusions on any issue.
— Gu Jiegang, Chinese Historian

For the history of the Shang and Zhou dynasties, Wang Guowei stands supreme; for Qin and Han history, Qian Binsi (Qian Mu) is unmatched; for Sui and Tang history, Chen Yinke reigns supreme; for Song history, no single authority has yet emerged—but for Ming and Qing history, there is Meng Xinshi (Meng Sen). This is universally acknowledged.
— Mou Zongsan, Chinese Philosopher

(Meng Sen) produced an extraordinary volume of work in just over thirty years, achieving unparalleled scholarly distinction and leaving a profound legacy that later generations can scarcely hope to equal.
— Wang Zhonghan, Chinese Qing History Scholar

★ The Groundbreaking Work on Ming History by Meng Sen, a Master Historian highly recommended by Gu Jiegang and Mou Zongsan!
*Meng Sen pioneered the study of Ming and Qing dynastic history, establishing himself as a foundational figure in the field. This book, celebrated as the seminal work on Ming history, offers a masterful synthesis of historical facts across the entire dynasty.

★ A Must-Read for Ming History Enthusiasts—Cited as a Key Reference for Those Events of the Ming Dynasty!
Spanning sixteen emperors and seven pivotal historical turning points, this book unravels the epic drama of the Ming era in one captivating read, delivering a comprehensive and nuanced portrayal of the dynasty.

★ Meticulously Researched, Richly Annotated, and Insightfully Analyzed:
Drawing from an extensive array of primary sources—including The History of Ming, The Veritable Records of the Ming, Ming Tongjian, Drafts of Ming History, and The Collected Statutes of the Great Ming—the book combines rigorous scholarship with original perspectives.

★ This book is perfect for general readers with an interest in history, fans of ancient Chinese dramas and novels, as well as academic researchers in history.

This series includes four volumes:
"The Grand History of the Han Dynasty"
"The Grand History of the Tang Dynasty"
"The Grand History of the Ming Dynasty"
"The Grand History of the Qing Dynasty"

Zhu Yuanzhang — The radiant founding emperor, once a monk and beggar?
Zhu Di — The warrior-king who ushered in the Yongle Golden Age, yet was also vainglorious and drenched in blood?
Emperor Wanli — Who not only "checked out" for 30 of his 48-year reign but was also obsessed with hoarding wealth?
Eunuch Dictatorship — Were the East and West Factories (Dongxi Chang) directly responsible for the Ming Dynasty’s collapse?
Southern Ming’s Self-Sabotage — Even with invaders at the gates, they kept fighting among themselves—did they truly bring about their own doom?
……
A bowl at the beginning and a rope at the end, unyielding resolve to the bitter end. From the Red Turban Rebellion to Zhu Yuanzhang’s rise, the Ming Dynasty stood apart: no royal marriages for peace, no reparations, no concessions, no ceded territory. This was the era later hailed as "Gang Ming"—the Unyielding Ming.
How did a former monk and beggar like Zhu Yuanzhang become emperor? Why was Zhu Di called a "born warrior"? What fueled the unchecked power of eunuchs? The enigmatic life of the "slacker" Wanli, the Southern Ming’s self-destructive infighting...
Vivid characters, pulse-pounding events—the definitive history of the Ming Dynasty, all in this book.

Meng Sen (1869-1938) was a Chinese historian and an outstanding founder of the discipline of modern Qing history in China. He absorbed modern historical research methods from traditional historical methods and pioneered the study of Ming and Qing dynasties, exerting a profound influence on the study of Ming and Qing history. Representative works include "The Grand History of the Ming Dynasty" and "The Grand History of the Qing Dynasty".

Chapter 1: The Dawn of Hongwu – The World Now Bears the Name "Zhu"
Section 1 The Prelude to the Rise of Taizu (Zhu Yuanzhang)
Section 2 From Taizu’s Uprising to the Establishment of the Hongwu Era
Section 3 The Institutional Foundations of the New Ming Dynasty
Section 4 Major Events During the Hongwu Reign

Chapter 2: The Jingnan Campaign – The Old Ginger is Still the Spiciest
Section 1 The Successes and Failures of the Jianwen Reign
Section 2 The Outbreak of the Jingnan Rebellion
Section 3 The Brutality of the Post-Jingnan Purges
Section 4 The Rise and Fall of Ming Fortunes After Jingnan
Section 5 Resolving the Two Great Controversies of Jingnan
Section 6 A Brief Account of the Renxuan (Emperor Renzong & Xuande) Reigns
Section 7 The Beginnings of Ming Dynasty Scholarly Discourse

Chapter 3: The Tumu Crisis and the "Seizing the Gate" Coup – One Mountain Cannot Harbor Two Tigers
Section 1: The Orthodox Initial Policy
Section 2 The Tumu Crisis
Section 3 The Defense of the Realm After Jingtai’s Ascension
Section 4 The Achievements and Failures of the Jingtai Reign
Section 5 The "Seizing the Gate" Coup
Section 6 The Political Climate of the Chenghua Reign
Section 7 The Political Climate of the Hongzhi Reign
Section 8 Intellectual Trends During the Yingzong, Xianzong, and Xiaozong Reigns

Chapter 4: The Great Rites Controversy – Blood Spills at the Zuoshun Gate
Section 1 The Failings of Emperor Wuzong
Section 2 The Great Rites Debate
Section 3 The Aftermath of the Rites Controversy
Section 4 The Politics of the Longqing Reign
Section 5 Intellectual Trends During the Zhengde, Jiajing, and Longqing Reigns

Chapter 5: The Neglect of Wanli – No Sacrifices, No Ancestral Worship, No Court Sessions
Section 1 The Years of Youthful Rule
Section 2 The Years of Drunken Stupor
Section 3 The Years of Irreparable Rupture
Section 4 The Fleeting Reign of Emperor Guangzong

Chapter 6: The Omen of Ming’s Downfall– Internal Strife and External Threats
Section 1 The Factionalism of the Early Tianqi Reign
Section 2 The Eunuch Calamity of the Tianqi Era
Section 3 The Fatal Flaws of the Chongzhen Reign
Section 4 A Defense of Yuan Chonghuan’s Wrongful Persecution
Section 5 Chongzhen’s Personnel Appointments
Section 6 The Rebellions of Li Zicheng & Zhang Xianzhong, and the Rise of the Later Jin

Chapter 7: The Tragedy of Southern Ming– The Wind Rises, Then Falls
Section 1 The Reign of the Hongguang Emperor
Section 2 The Reign of the Longwu Emperor (Including the Short-lived Shaowu Regime)
Section 3 The Reign of the Yongli Emperor
Section 4 The Rule of Prince Lu (The "Supervising Prince")