War, politics, and society in early modern China, 900-1795

This comprehensive survey of Chinese military history is the only book in English to span the significant years from 900 - 1795. Peter Lorge questions current theories on China's relationship to war, and argues that war was the most important tool used by the Chinese in building and maintaining their empire. Emphasizing the relationship between the military and politics, chapters are organised around specific military events and, Lorge argues, the strength of territorial claims and political impact of each dynasty were determined by their military capacity. Ideal as a course adoption text for Asian military studies, this is also valuable for students of Chinese studies, military studies and Chinese history. "In this new take on China's early modern history, Peter Lorge presents a fresh overview of the repeated recreation of the Chinese empire through military force. Emphasizing the relationship between the military and politics, and China's power as an empire, Lorge argues that the strength of the territorial claims and political impact of each dynasty were determined primarily by their military capacity rather than by their cultural characteristics." "Using a chronological narrative, War, Politics and Society in Early Modern China, 900-1795 breaks free of the dynastic boundaries that shape much scholarship in this area, focusing instead on the growing power of local elites. This power eventually led to a system of loose central control - to the sacrifice of real, centralized power over local affairs. Ideal for students of military and Asian studies, War, Politics and Society in Early Modern China, 900-1795 is essential reading for anyone interested in the military history of China."--Résumé de l'éditeur "In this new take on China's early modern history, Peter Lorge presents a fresh overview of the repeated recreation of the Chinese empire through military force. Emphasizing the relationship between the military and politics, and China's power as an empire, Lorge argues that the strength of the territorial claims and political impact of each dynasty were determined primarily by their military capacity rather than by their cultural characteristics." "Using a chronological narrative, War, Politics and Society in Early Modern China, 900-1795 breaks free of the dynastic boundaries that shape much scholarship in this area, focusing instead on the growing power of local elites. This power eventually led to a system of loose central control - to the sacrifice of real, centralized power over local affairs. Ideal for students of military and Asian studies, War, Politics and Society in Early Modern China, 900-1795 is essential reading for anyone interested in the military history of China."--Jacket A comprehensive survey of Chinese military history, in English, spanning the significant years from 900-1795. Emphasizing the relationship between the military and politics, the chapters here are organised around specific military events. The book is useful as a course adoption text for Asian military studies