Christopher’s Reviews > Imperial China, 900–1800 > Status Update
Christopher
is on page 577 of 1128
I do wish more was said about the dissolution of the Yuan and the Mongol retreat northwards. The founding of the Ming is almost entirely told as a story of rebel armies, especially the Red Turbans, competing amongst themselves for a power that the reader is left to mostly guess simply evaporated. Sure, we heard lots about Yuan weakness, but I feel like the actual fall was glossed over too quickly.
— Jan 20, 2026 01:17AM
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Christopher’s Previous Updates
Christopher
is on page 814 of 1128
Finally beginning on the Qing. This last chapter greatly expanded my understanding of 雪妃娘娘和包鲁嘎汗 I've been reading, but which unfortunately isn't on Goodreads, dealing with the rise of the Manchu under Nurhaci. Might need to find a book specifically on that topic now, it is incredibly interesting.
— Apr 04, 2026 08:19PM
Christopher
is on page 682 of 1128
One of the great frustrations with this book is his tendency to be inconsistent in Romanization. Sometimes he writes of Jiangsi and Sinkiang, but most other names are given in Pinyin. 11 uses of Jiangsi and 30ish of Jiangxi. 3 of Sinkiang, dozens of Xinjiang. I understand names can become standardized in transliteration even when systems change, but this is just lazy.
— Mar 09, 2026 01:15PM
