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Books Features

New Medieval Books: Empire in the Western Ocean

Empire in the Western Ocean: Sea Power and the Early Ming Navy, 1355-1449

By Lo Jung-pang, edited by Bruce A. Elleman

The Chinese University of Hong Kong Press
ISBN: 978-988-237-271-9

This book chronicles the rise of the Ming Dynasty and their creation of a formidable naval power that extended far beyond China’s shores, reaching deep into the Indian Ocean. It highlights the dynasty’s impressive, though short-lived, achievements in shipbuilding and infrastructure, enabling the launch of massive fleets for both military and commercial ventures.

Excerpt:

Before the massive and spectacular display of naval power by China during the early Ming period, the Chinese had already experienced over two millennian of seafaring traditions. It was a story of great maritime accomplishments that any nation would have proudly proclaimed and preserved. In China, however, unlike other countries, this record of its past achievements at sea has been largely relegated to the shadows, uncelebrated and unsung. Why did this happen?

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Although China has a long sea frontage, it is still a continental country. The age-long involvement with the great mass of Asia absorbed the primary attention of the Chinese people, overriding all other considerations. The major events and developments of China’s history and civilization have taken place on land and so eclipsed the activities at sea, which were pushed off the center stage and thereby made a minor sideshow.

Who is this book for?

This book is a valuable resource for students of Chinese history or medieval maritime history. While many may be familiar with Zheng He and the famous treasure fleets of the 15th century, the book delves deeper, revealing the broader role of China as a dominant maritime power during this period.

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The Author

Lo Jung-pang was a Professor of History at the University of California, Davis. He died in 1981, shortly after completing this book, but it has not been published until now. The team of Bruce A. Elleman, Richard J. Smith and Geoff Wade helped bring this book to publication, adding in a Foreward and Afterward.

You can learn more about this book from the publisher’s website 

You can buy this book on Amazon.com | Amazon.ca | Amazon.co.uk

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