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

This well written book is about the character who patronized my Kangxi Dictionary. (And enough about insider jokes. ) But seriously I recommend more books: Vincent Cronin's 1955 The Wise Man from the West - Mateo Ricci; John M Rosenfield's 1973 The Courtly Tradition in Japanese Art and Literature - Japanese Script; Jonathan D Spence's 1974 Emperor of China - Kangxi; S Robert Ramsey's 1987 The Languages of China; Ray Huang's 1988 China a Macro History; RWL Guisgo's 1989 The First Emperor of China; Cecilia Lindqvist's 1991 China Empire of Living Symbols - Chinese Script (in Joan Tate's English translation); Jonathan D Spence 1996 God's Chinese Son; Kevin Bishop's 1997 China's Imperial Way; Richard Bernstein 2001 Ultimate Journey Retracing the Path of an Ancient Buddhist Monk - Xuanzang (with David Lindroth's maps); Jack Weatherford's 2004 Genghis Khan and the Making of the Modern World; Peter Hessler's 2006 Oracle Bones - Chinese Script; Christopher Beckworth's 2009 Empires of the Silk Road; Jack Weatherford's 2010 The Secret History of the Mongol Queens. Have a good read!

This is a fascinating book. Jonathan Spence, the renowned China scholar, has written a masterful memoir in the first person of a 17th and 18th century Chinese emperor. Based on the K'ang-Hsi emperor's own notes and documents, this book gives a powerful insight into China at the time. An easy written style makes this book even more accessible and useful. I learned much more from this slim volume than from classic histories of China

It is like an autobiography - his feelings and perspectives written in memorials and not just a book about the Emperor. It shows he was a moral man always concerned with the "mandate of Heaven" which he believes is why his reign lasted so long.

Really good story. And the history of it is fascinating.

Great book, humanizing what must have been a lonely job. Originally read it in paperback years ago, nice to have it on Kindle.

Very interesting read.

This book will give you a fascinating insight into the life of one of the most powerful men in Chinese history. A must read for any serious students of Chinese history.

Emperors own words!

The prompt delivery of the book is greatly appreciated, especially since it has such a lovely hard cover. Thank you for your fantastic service.

Libro interessantissimo. Utilissimo per la mia tesi