Chronicle of the Chinese emperors : the reign-by-reign record of the rulers of Imperial China / Ann Paludan.

With 368 illustrations, 126 in colour.

Includes bibliographical references (p. 218) and index.

Details the lives and personalities of all 157 Chinese emperors over 2,000 years from the Great " First Emperor" buried with his terracotta army in the 3rd century BC, to the last emperor, enthroned in the Forbidden City in 1911.Reveals the enormous flexibiblity of the Chinese imperial system, which combined Confucian philosphy based on moral-political beliefs with a highly centralized administration. Discusses the the privileged position of the emperors and cited its abuses which resulted into violent change characterized by rebellion and civil wars.Highlights the virtues and failings of the emperors, citing the effects of their reigns to the social, economic and political aspects of China. Includes timelines detailing major events of every reign, calligraphic script, datafile of each emperor listing key information such as name at birth and imperial wives and concubines. Contains extensive quotations from contemporary sources, numerous sidebars and special features ranging from the Great Wall of China to the Opium War, 368 illustrations, 126 colored, including portraits of the emperors, art treasures from imperial tombs and maps with details like the Silk Roads and the maritime expeditions of the Ming Dynasty.