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Son of Heaven: A Biography of Li Shih-Min, Founder of the T-Ang Dynasty
Originally published in 1933, this book presents a comprehensive biography of Emperor Taizong of the Tang Dynasty, also known by the personal name of Li Shimin. Detailed information is provided on the life and achievements of Emperor Taizong, placing them in the context of socio-political developments during the late sixth and early seventh centuries. Illustrative figures, maps and a genealogical table are also included, together with detailed textual notes and appendices. This book will be of value to anyone with an interest in Emperor Taizong and the history of China.
232 pages, Hardcover
First published June 1, 1971
About the author
C.P. Fitzgerald
25 books9 followersCharles Patrick Fitzgerald was a British historian. He was a professor of East Asian studies with particular focus on China.
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
September 11, 2022
It was good
August 14, 2016
An excellent history of the short history of the Sui Dynasty and the founding of the Tang Dynasty focusing on the second Tang Emperor, Li Shih-Min (who earned the title 'founder of the Tang' although first setting his father on the throne as the emperor we know as Gaozong). This riveting story, written by one of the great sinologists, C. P. Fitzgerald, uses two classic references as its sources: The Mirror of History (Tzu chih t'ung chien), written in the 11th century, and a later Yuan Dynasty commentary. The detail, including recorded quotes from Li Shih-Min as recorded by the court historians of the Tang, bring this amazing story to life.
The rendition of the various conflicts--military and court--are covered in minute detail, the latter more intriguing than the former (at least to this reader, who confesses skimming through many of the detailed tactical battle scenes). Some readers may be familiar with this emperor as he became the renowned Emperor Taizong, who memorialized his six war steeds by having bas reliefs of them placed on his tomb (four are now in Xi'an's Beilin Museum, and two in Philadelphia).
Li Shih-Min by the age of 15 was leading armies into battle to overthrow the corrupt emperor Sui Yangdi, and by the age of 26 was himself emperor, but not before countless conflicts against both domestic and foreign foe (especially the tribes of the northern plains), slaying his own unworthy elder brother who had been designated crown prince, together with another younger, ambitious half-brother (born of a concubine), and retiring his still-living father (who happily lived to an old age focused on his real love--hunting).
In maturity, Li Shih-Min was a good ruler, who often pardoned some of his staunchest enemies and took them into his own inner circle if they had talents he needed. In the end, he had to endure hostilities between his own sons for the throne (once again, an incompetent crown prince with a coterie of ambitious conspirators). When a planned rebellion failed, the emperor executed many, pardoned some, allowed others to commit suicide, and exiled his degraded son, the former crown prince--who died in a remote frontier town a year later. Shih-Min's successor, his 9th son, Gaozong, was young and inexperienced when he came to the throne at the age of 21 (in 649), and is perhaps best remembered as the son who fell under the spell of one of his father's concubines...who became in time the infamous Empress Wu Zetian. But that is another story.
A wonderful book, a story well told, and must-reading for anyone interested in Tang history.
The rendition of the various conflicts--military and court--are covered in minute detail, the latter more intriguing than the former (at least to this reader, who confesses skimming through many of the detailed tactical battle scenes). Some readers may be familiar with this emperor as he became the renowned Emperor Taizong, who memorialized his six war steeds by having bas reliefs of them placed on his tomb (four are now in Xi'an's Beilin Museum, and two in Philadelphia).
Li Shih-Min by the age of 15 was leading armies into battle to overthrow the corrupt emperor Sui Yangdi, and by the age of 26 was himself emperor, but not before countless conflicts against both domestic and foreign foe (especially the tribes of the northern plains), slaying his own unworthy elder brother who had been designated crown prince, together with another younger, ambitious half-brother (born of a concubine), and retiring his still-living father (who happily lived to an old age focused on his real love--hunting).
In maturity, Li Shih-Min was a good ruler, who often pardoned some of his staunchest enemies and took them into his own inner circle if they had talents he needed. In the end, he had to endure hostilities between his own sons for the throne (once again, an incompetent crown prince with a coterie of ambitious conspirators). When a planned rebellion failed, the emperor executed many, pardoned some, allowed others to commit suicide, and exiled his degraded son, the former crown prince--who died in a remote frontier town a year later. Shih-Min's successor, his 9th son, Gaozong, was young and inexperienced when he came to the throne at the age of 21 (in 649), and is perhaps best remembered as the son who fell under the spell of one of his father's concubines...who became in time the infamous Empress Wu Zetian. But that is another story.
A wonderful book, a story well told, and must-reading for anyone interested in Tang history.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews