The Troubled Empire: China in the Yuan and Ming Dynasties (History of Imperial China)
A broad and well-written overview of Chinese history from the thirteenth to the seventeenth century. Brook uses stories and anecdotes to illuminate historical trends with grace and skill. For those interested in Chinese history, and for comparative historians, this is a very useful book. (Peter Ditmanson, University of Oxford)Brook has given a readers a fast-paced, intriguing account of the Yuan and Ming dynasties that will be read and enjoyed for many years to come. (David D. BuckCanadian Journal of History2011-08-01)Brook's ecological approach to China is both original and timely: for also China's rulers of today are faced with widespread social tension deriving from environmental calamity and natural catastrophe. (Tjalling HalbertsmaJournal of Asian History2011-06-01)One of those rare works that appeal to both academic and general readers. Its readable prose and intriguing storytelling, coupled with the emphasis on total history, make it more accessible to students at different levels… The Troubled Empire is an outstanding macro study of the Yuan–Ming dynasties by a leading authority on Chinese history. (Wensheng WangJournal of World History2012-03-01)