The Reunification of China
Peace through War under the Song Dynasty

The Song dynasty (960–1279) has been characterized by its pre-eminent civil culture and military weakness. This groundbreaking work demonstrates that the civil dominance of the eleventh century was the product of a half-century of continuous warfare and ruthless political infighting. The spectacular culture of the eleventh century, one of the high points in Chinese history, was built on the bloody foundation of the conquests of the tenth century. Peter Lorge examines how, rather than a planned and inevitable reunification of the Chinese empire, the foundation of the Song was an uncertain undertaking, dependent upon highly contingent battles, both military and political, whose outcome was always in doubt. Song civil culture grew out of the successful military campaigns that created the dynasty and, as the need for war and armies diminished, the need for civil officials grew. The Song dynasty's successful waging of war led ultimately to peace.

Reviews & endorsements

'The Reunification of China offers a richly detailed narrative on the founding of the Song empire, tracing its origins in the Five Dynasties and extending forward to the critical turn toward civilian rule during the second and third reigns. The reader is reminded of the centrality of war to politics and simultaneously the serendipity of history in the absence of grand plans. Peter Lorge has shed invaluable light on this important period of transition, which in turn enriches our understanding of the broader history of China's middle period.' Richard L. Davis, Lingnan University, Hong Kong

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Product details

• Date Published: March 2018
• format: Paperback
• isbn: 9781107446793
• length: 309 pages

• dimensions: 228 x 153 x 18 mm
• weight: 0.45kg
• contains: 32 maps
• availability: Available