A Tale of Two Melons: Emperor and Subject in Ming China

A commoner's presentation to the emperor of a lucky omen from his garden, the repercussions for his family, and several retellings of the incident provide the background for an engaging introduction to Ming society, culture, and politics, including discussions of the founding of the Ming dynasty; the character of the first emperor; the role of omens in court politics; how the central and local governments were structured, including the civil service examination system; the power of local elite families; the roles of women; filial piety; and the concept of ling or efficacy in Chinese religion.

• The Day Commodus Killed a Rhino: Understanding the Roman Games (Witness to Ancient History)
• Technology and Gender (A Philip E. Lilienthal Book)
• Stories from a Ming Collection: The Art of the Chinese Storyteller
• The Plum in the Golden Vase or, Chin P'ing Mei: Vol. 1, The Gathering
• Stella: A Novel of the Haitian Revolution (America and the Long 19th Century)
• The Confusions of Pleasure: Commerce and Culture in Ming China
• Monkey: Folk Novel of China
• The Analects (Penguin Classics)
• The Story of Hong Gildong (Penguin Classics)
• Emperor Qianlong: Son of Heaven, Man of the World