Emperor of China: Self-portrait of K'ang-Hsi

Spence offers a remarkable recreation of the life of K'ang-hsi, emperor of the Manchu dynasty from 1661 to 1772, assembled from contemporary documents. The result is an astonishing self-portrait, unmatched in the historical literature.

"For the first time in publishing history we non-scholars see the Emperor as a living man."--The New York Times Book Review

"This incredibly vivid, modern-sounding personality from a time and place that superficially seem 'hopelessly remote,' is brought to us in an absorbing, beautiful book."--The Wall Street Journal

Contents

K'ang-hsi's Reign

1. In Motion

2. Ruling

3. Thinking

4. Growing Old

5. Sons

6. Valedictory

Appendix A: Seventeen Letters to Ku Wen-hsing, Chief Eunuch, Spring 1697

Appendix B: The "Final" Valedictory Edict