The Cambridge History of China, Volume 5: The Five Dynasties and Sung China, 960-1279 AD, Part 2

This is the second of two volumes on the Sung Dynasty, which together provide a comprehensive history of China from the fall of the T'ang Dynasty in 907 to the Mongol conquest of the Southern Sung in 1279. With contributions from leading historians in the field, Volume 5, Part Two paints a complex portrait of a dynasty beset by problems and contradictions, but one which, despite its military and geopolitical weakness, was nevertheless economically powerful, culturally brilliant, socially fluid and the most populous of any empire in global history to that point. In this much anticipated addition to the series, the authors survey key themes across ten chapters, including government, economy, society, religion, and thought to provide an authoritative and topical treatment of a profound and significant period in Chinese history. "The Cambridge History of China is the largest and most comprehensive history of China in the English language. Planned in the 1960s by the late, distinguished China scholar Professor John K. Fairbank of Harvard, and Denis Twitchett, Professor Emeritus of Princeton, the series covers the grand scale of Chinese history from the 3rd century BC, to the death of Mao Tse-tung. Consisting of fifteen volumes (two of which, Volumes 5 and 9 are to be published in two books), the history embodies both existing scholarship and extensive original research into hitherto neglected subjects and periods. The contributors, all specialists from the international community of Sinologists, cover the main developments in political, social, economic and intellectual life of China in their respective periods. Collectively they present the major events in a long history that encompasses both a very old civilisation and a great modern power. Written not only for students and scholars, but with the general reader in mind, the volumes are designed to be read continuously, or as works of reference. No knowledge of Chinese is necessary; for readers with Chinese, proper names and terms are identified with their characters in the glossary, and full references to Chinese, Japanese, and other works are given in the bibliographies. Numerous maps illustrate the texts. The published volumes have constituted essential reading in Chinese history. See also, The Cambridge History of Ancient China, Michael Loewe and Edward Shaughnessy, eds., a companion to this series covering the period 1500 to 221 BC. General Editors: John K. Fairbank, Denis Twitchett." -- Provided by publisher International Scholars And Sinologists Discuss Culture, Economic Growth, Social Change, Political Processes, And Foreign Influences In China Since The Earliest Pre-dynastic Period. V. 1. The Chʻin And Han Empires, 221 B.c.-a.d. 220 -- V. 3, Pt. 1. Sui And Tʻang China, 589-906 -- V. 5, Pt. 1. The Sung Dynasty And Its Precursors, 907-1279 - V. 5, Pt. 2. Sung China, 960-1279 -- V. 6. Alien Regimes And Border States, 907-1368 -- V. 7-8. The Ming Dynasty, 1368-1644, Pt. 1-2 -- V. 9. The Ch'ing Dynasty To 1800, Pt. 1-2 -- V. 10-11. Late Chʻing, 1800-1911, Pt. 1-2 -- V. 12-13. Republican China, 1912-1949, Pt. 1-2 -- V. 14. The People's Republic, Pt. 1 -- V. 15. The People's Republic, Pt. 2: Revolutions Within The Chinese Revolution, 1966-1982. General Editors, Denis Twitchett And John K. Fairbank. Vol. 1. Edited By Denis Twitchett And Michael Loewe; Vol. 5 Edited By Denis Twitchett And Paul Jakov Smith; Vol. 6 Edited By Herbert Franke And Denis Twitchett; Vol. 7-8 Edited By Frederick W. Mote And Denis Twitchett; V. 9. Edited By Willard J. Peterson; V. 11 Edited By John F. Fairbank And Kwang-ching Liu; V. 13 Edited By John K. Fairbank And Albert Feuerwerker; V. 14-15 Edited By Roderick Macfarquhar And John K. Fairbank. Includes Bibliographies And Indexes.