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This engaging and insightful history of the Qing dynasty (1636-1912) offers a systematic discussion of topics such as language, philosophy, religion, art, literature, and social customs. Nuanced and wide-ranging, noted historian Richard J. Smith's authoritative book provides an essential introduction to late imperial Chinese culture and society.
List of contents
PREFACE
INTRODUCTION
CHAPTER 1: THE MING DYNASTY LEGACY
The Founding of the Ming
The Evolution of Ming Institutions
Ming Culture
CHAPTER 2: CONQUEST AND CONSOLIDATION
The Fall of the Ming and the Rise of the Qing
The Qing Empire: A Brief Overview
CHAPTER 3: THE QING POLITICAL ORDER
Imperial Rule and Metropolitan Offices
Administrative Integration and Its Limits
CHAPTER 4: SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC INSTITUTIONS
Social Classes and Conflicts
Forms of Chinese Socioeconomic Organization
CHAPTER 5: LANGUAGE AND SYMBOLIC REFERENCE
Languages of the Qing
The Relationship between Language and Culture
CHAPTER 6: THOUGHT
The World of Ideas
The Confucian Moral Order
Daoist Flight and Fancy
CHAPTER 7: RELIGION
State Sacrifices
Buddhism and Religious Daoism
Popular Religion
CHAPTER 8: ARTS AND CRAFTS
Attitudes Toward Art
Craft Productions
Painting and Calligraphy
CHAPTER 9: LITERATURE
Categories of Classical Literature
Vernacular Literature
CHAPTER 10: SOCIAL LIFE
Early Life-Cycle Ritual
Marriage and Beyond
Amusements
CHAPTER 11: THE LATE QING AND BEYOND, 1860-2014
Reform, Revolution, and China's Inherited Culture
APPENDICES
Appendix A: A Note on Chinese Names
Appendix B: Weights and Measures, Exchange Rates and Costs
Appendix C: Regional Differences and Provincial Stereotypes
Appendix D: Glossary of Some Philosophical Concepts
Appendix E: Tables of Contents of Selected Editions of the Wanbao quanshu (1612, 1636, 1758 and 1828)
Appendix F: Some English-Language Writings on Honglou meng (Dream of the Red Chamber)
Appendix G: The Three Character Classic
NOTES
BIBLIOGRAPHY
INDEX
About the author
Richard J. Smith is currently George and Nancy Rupp Professor of Humanities emeritus, a Baker Institute Scholar, and a Research Professor at the Chao Center for Asian Studies, Rice University. He is also an Adjunct Professor at the Center for Asian Studies, University of Texas, Austin, and a member of several professional advisory boards. A specialist in modern Chinese history and traditional Chinese culture, Smith also has strong interests in transnational, global and comparative studies. He has published nine single-authored books, the most recent of which is 'The Qing Dynasty and Traditional Chinese Culture' (2015). He has also co-edited or co-authored eight volumes, the most recent of which are 'Reexamining the Sinosphere: Cultural Transmissions and Transformations in East Asia' (2020) and 'Rethinking the Sinosphere: Poetics, Aesthetics, and Identity Formation' (2020).
Summary
This engaging and insightful history of the Qing dynasty (1636-1912) offers a systematic discussion of topics such as language, philosophy, religion, art, literature, and social customs. Nuanced and wide-ranging, noted historian Richard J. Smith's authoritative book provides an essential introduction to late imperial Chinese culture and society.
