Exploring the Ming

This book presents an in-depth exploration of ten figures from the Ming Dynasty-including Zhu Yuanzhang, Zhu Di, Hu Ying, Wang Zhi, and Tang Yin-using their life stories to weave together a comprehensive history of the dynasty. By tracing their personal trajectories, analyzing their motivations, and examining the impact of their actions, the book offers a penetrating look into the political, economic, intellectual, cultural, military, and social transformations of the Ming Dynasty over its 276-year history.

These ten individuals participated in and witnessed the entire arc of the dynasty's social evolution. Their rises and falls mirror the prosperity and decline of the Ming itself. To understand these ten figures is to grasp the underlying logic and social character of the entire Ming Dynasty-and to gain a deeper appreciation of this pivotal era in Chinese history.

The author is a historical researcher at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, specializing in Ming intellectual and political history. His scholarship is solid, meticulous, and thoroughly trustworthy.

本书朱元璋、朱棣、胡濙、汪直、唐寅等十位明朝人行解读，以十位明朝人物的生事迹串联起一部大明史，通过对人物生存轨迹的描写和对其动机的分析，以及对其行为影响的探究，深入呈现了明朝的政治、济、思想、文化、军事、民生等各方面的发展变迁。这十位人物参与了整个明朝276年的社会演变，他们的沉浮起落映射着明朝的兴盛衰亡。读懂了这十位人物，就能明白整个大明王朝的运行逻辑和社会风貌，加深对明朝这个时代的理解。作者为社科院历史研究员，专研明代思想史和政治史，治学扎实，值得信赖。

Chen Shilong

Ph.D. in History from Fudan University. He is currently a research fellow (or "researcher" depending on institutional title), specializing in the intellectual and political history of the Ming Dynasty. His major publications include Lecturing Activities in the Mid-to-Late Ming Dynasty (1522-1626), The Imperial Examination and Local Schools in the Ming, An Authentic History of the Sixteen Emperors of the Ming (co-authored), and A History of the Interpretation of the Six Maxims in the Ming and Qing Dynasties, among others.

陈时龙

复旦大学历史学博士，考研究员，主要研究方向为明代思想史、明代政治史，著有《明代中晚期讲动(1522-1626)》、《明代的科举与学》、《正说明朝十六帝》(合著)、《明清时代六谕诠释史》等。