Sons of Heaven

Family and Dynasty in Ming China

Craig Clunas

• Publisher: Reaktion Books
• Year: 2026
• eBook ISBN:
  9781836392217
• Topic: History
• Index: History

Sons of Heaven is the first accessible, newly researched account in English of the imperial family who ruled Ming China (1368–1644), one of the country's most dynamic and influential eras. Beginning with a fresh look at what a dynasty really was, the book follows the lives of emperors, empresses, relatives and those who came into the imperial orbit. Uniquely drawing from official and unofficial Chinese primary sources, including gossip-rich 'wild histories', it presents a more intimate, complex picture of court life – its politics, personalities and pleasures. Moving beyond stereotypes, the book highlights the power, intrigue and humanity of Ming rule. Richly illustrated with period art that brings the imperial world to life, this is a compelling portrait of dynasty as lived reality.

Table of contents

• Front Cover
• Half-title Page
• Title Page
• Copyright
• Contents
• Introduction
• 1 ‘Great Martial Power’: The Hongwu Era, 1368–98
• 2 ‘Establishment of Civil Merit’: The Jianwen Era, 1399–1402
• 3 ‘Eternal Happiness’: The Yongle Era, 1403–24
• 4 ‘Vastly Bright’: The Hongxi Era, 1425
• 5 ‘Propagating Virtue’: The Xuande Era, 1426–35
• 6 ‘Orthodox Succession’: The Zhengtong Era, 1436–49
• 7 ‘Bright Exhalation’: The Jingtai Era, 1450–56
• 8 ‘Heaven’s Favour’: The Tianshun Era, 1457–64
• 9 ‘Accomplished Transformation’: The Chenghua Era, 1465–87
• 10 ‘Magnanimous Governance’: The Hongzhi Era, 1488–1505
• 11 ‘Rectification of Virtue’: The Zhengde Era, 1506–21
• 12 ‘Prosperity and Peace’: The Jiajing Era, 1522–66
• 13 ‘Exalted Blessings’: The Longqing Era, 1567–72
• 14 ‘Ten Thousand Years’: The Wanli Era, 1573–1620
• 15 ‘Extensive Glory’: The Taichang Era, 1620
• 16 ‘Heavens Opening’: The Tianqi Era, 1621–7
• 17 ‘Lofty and Auspicious’: The Chongzhen Era, 1628–44
• Epilogue: After the End, 1644–
• REFERENCES
• BIBLIOGRAPHY
• ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
• PHOTO ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
• INDEX