Providing original insights into Chinese military history, Nicola Di Cosmo gives an annotated translation of the only known military diary in pre-modern Chinese history, providing fresh and extensive information on the inner workings of the Ch'ing army. The personal experience of the author, a young Manchu officer fighting in inhospitable South-Western China, take us close to the 'face of the battle' in seventeenth-century China, and enriches our general knowledge of military history.

About the Author

Nicola Di Cosmo joined the Institute for Advanced Study, School of Historical Studies, in 2003 as the Luce Foundation Professor in East Asian Studies. He is the author of Ancient China and Its Enemies and his research interests are in Mongol and Manchu studies and Sino-Inner Asian relations.

Reviews

'Anyone interested in this unique description of Manchu-Chinese warfare viewed through the eyes of a participant should read it: there is much here to learn and much that will entertain in the process.' - Denis Sinor, Journal of Asian History, 41/1, 2007

'Zengseo's diary and Di Cosmo's translation are a very precious contribution to "inside Manchu history" and - which should be underlined - to Manchu autochtonous literature... Though the problem of Manchu "sinicization" is far from being solved, the book under review is indeed a fine contribution to such a complicated issue.' - Giovanni Stary, Central Asiatic Journal, 51/2, 2007

Book Information
ISBN 9780415544474
Author Nicola Di Cosmo
Format Paperback
Page Count 142
Imprint Routledge
Publisher Taylor & Francis Ltd
Weight(grams) 280g