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Shih-shan Henry Tsai
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The Eunuchs in the Ming Dynasty (SUNY Series in Chinese Local Studies)

by Shih-Shan Henry Tsai (Author)
5.0 out of 5 stars 10
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This study of Chinese eunuchs illuminates the entire history of the Ming Dynasty, 1368-1644, and provides broad information on various aspects of pre-modern China.
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  1. ISBN-10
    0791426882
  2. ISBN-13
    978-0791426883
  3. Publisher
    State University of New York Press
  4. Publication date
    November 16, 1995
  5. Language
    English
  6. Dimensions
    5.22 x 0.71 x 8.68 inches
  7. Print length
    312 pages
  8. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

Review

"This book is a detailed and intellectually sophisticated study of Ming eunuchs that illuminates the entire history of the Ming. The author is aware of the systematic anti-eunuch prejudice of the sources (all composed by civil officials), and has adopted a critical stance throughout. This has permitted him to assess objectively the achievements of the eunuchs and to let them 'speak for themselves' to the extent that the sources permit." - Edward L. Dreyer, University of Miami

About the Author

Shih-shan Henry Tsai is Professor of History and Chairman of Asian Studies at the University of Arkansas.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ State University of New York Press (November 16, 1995)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 312 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0791426882
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0791426883
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 13.7 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.22 x 0.71 x 8.68 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    5.0 out of 5 stars 10

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Shih-shan Henry Tsai

Shih-shan Henry Tsai
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Customer reviews

5 out of 5 stars
5 out of 5
10 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Sherry Li
5.0 out of 5 stars It is good!
Reviewed in the United States on May 24, 2013
Verified Purchase
It is clear and looks just as the original book. I'm really happy I get it. It really helps me with my academic paper.
One person found this helpful
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laurens van den muyzenberg
5.0 out of 5 stars Fatal consequences of eunuchs competing with other civil servants
Reviewed in the United States on July 2, 2013
Most books about the history of China refer to eunuchs. I initially thought that eunuchs only supervised the harems of the emperors. This book shows this view to be totally wrong.

During the Ming dynasty eunuchs held leading positions in the military system, the intelligence -gathering system, international diplomacy, maritime activities (naval and commercial), imperial plantations, tax collection, salt monopoly, mining, purchasing agents, manufacturing, take care of the imperial seals, flood-control projects, and judiciary reviews. The activities are presented with dates, names of eunuchs with their position, successes and failures. In each of these areas eunuchs and other civil servants were equally influential.

The emperors had concluded that they could not trust their family members, other nobles or members of other aristocratic families in important government positions. They therefore organized all senior government positions on a 50/50 basis. The eunuchs reported to the emperor on the loyalty of the non-eunuchs and the others did the same on the eunuchs. Sometimes these two groups cooperated. There was however always tension. That was exactly what the emperor wanted to discover in time plots to harm him or reduce his power. From that point of view it worked. Unfortunately this competition sometimes led to disastrous results as exemplified by the destruction of the Chinese Navy at the end of 1500.

The Yongle Emperor, reign 1402-1424, wanted to expand the Chinese, influence of China overseas. He therefore commanded Zheng Hi, a Muslim eunuch to build a naval force. Three years after receiving the order Zheng Hi made the first expedition with more than 300 ships in the fleet and 27800 men. The largest ships, the treasury ships, had 9 masts were 150 meters long and 60 meter wide. The Santa Maria from Columbus was only 25 meters long and 8 meters wide, one sixth the size. Zheng led 7 expeditions, the last one in 1433. China totally dominated the Asian seas up to 1433.

The non-eunuch members of government opposed these maritime activities already starting around 1406 because they feared the increasing power of the eunuchs. They finally succeeded to convince the emperor in 1500 to burn all the ships. The history of the China and the world including Western colonization of Asia and the opium wars would not have happened if China had maintained its navy.

The book presents many very specific examples of how incompetent leadership of several Ming emperors led to the fall of the dynasty in 1644 and why the Manchu invading China from the North could occupy all of China, an occupation that lasted until 1911.
8 people found this helpful
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Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars excellent reading; provides an insight into the dualism
Reviewed in the United States on September 17, 1998
This book is an excellent book. It provides an insight into the working of the dualism of Ming Dynasty. And it also helps to clearify some myths and stereotype of eunuchs. It explains why eunuchs were scapegoat and despised by general Chinese literati. The book show that eunuchs are much of victims of the social struture of China.
11 people found this helpful
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Francesca
5.0 out of 5 stars Ottimo libro in lingua
Reviewed in Italy on December 3, 2020
Verified Purchase
Ottimo libro, mi aiutato con la stesura della mia tesi magistrale sugli eunuchi.
Report
laurens van den muyzenberg
5.0 out of 5 stars Fatal consequences of eunuchs competing with other civil servants
Reviewed in France on July 2, 2013
Verified Purchase
Most books about the history of China refer to eunuchs. I initially thought that eunuchs only supervised the harems of the emperors. This book shows this view to be totally wrong.

During the Ming dynasty eunuchs held leading positions in the military system, the intelligence -gathering system, international diplomacy, maritime activities (naval and commercial), imperial plantations, tax collection, salt monopoly, mining, purchasing agents, manufacturing, take care of the imperial seals, flood-control projects, and judiciary reviews. The activities are presented with dates, names of eunuchs with their position, successes and failures. In each of these areas eunuchs and other civil servants were equally influential.

The emperors had concluded that they could not trust their family members, other nobles or members of other aristocratic families in important government positions. They therefore organized all senior government positions on a 50/50 basis. The eunuchs reported to the emperor on the loyalty of the non-eunuchs and the others did the same on the eunuchs. Sometimes these two groups cooperated. There was however always tension. That was exactly what the emperor wanted to discover in time plots to harm him or reduce his power. From that point of view it worked. Unfortunately this competition sometimes led to disastrous results as exemplified by the destruction of the Chinese Navy at the end of 1500.

The Yongle Emperor, reign 1402-1424, wanted to expand the Chinese, influence of China overseas. He therefore commanded Zheng Hi, a Muslim eunuch to build a naval force. Three years after receiving the order Zheng Hi made the first expedition with more than 300 ships in the fleet and 27800 men. The largest ships, the treasury ships, had 9 masts were 150 meters long and 60 meter wide. The Santa Maria from Columbus was only 25 meters long and 8 meters wide, one sixth the size. Zheng led 7 expeditions, the last one in 1433. China totally dominated the Asian seas up to 1433.

The non-eunuch members of government opposed these maritime activities already starting around 1406 because they feared the increasing power of the eunuchs. They finally succeeded to convince the emperor in 1500 to burn all the ships. The history of the China and the world including Western colonization of Asia and the opium wars would not have happened if China had maintained its navy.

The book presents many very specific examples of how incompetent leadership of several Ming emperors led to the fall of the dynasty in 1644 and why the Manchu invading China from the North could occupy all of China, an occupation that lasted until 1911.
One person found this helpful
Report
Linda Sutherland
5.0 out of 5 stars A fascinating book
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 17, 2012
Verified Purchase
Although the title might suggest that the theme of this book is rather narrow, it is in fact an excellent discussion of the whole topic of how Ming dynasty China actually functioned. (And unless you are a specialist in Chinese history, it probably tells you all you would want to know on that subject.
One person found this helpful
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