Shih-shan Henry Tsai is professor of history and director of Asian studies at the University of Arkansas. He is the author of four books, including Eunuchs in the Ming Dynasty.

List of Maps
Acknowlegments
Preface
A Day in the Life of Yongle's Court: February 23, 1423
The Formative Years, 1360-1382
The Years of Waiting, 1382-1398
The Years of Successional Struggle, 1398-1402
The Years of Reconstruction: Goverment and Politics, 1402-1420
The Years of Rehabilitation: Society and Economy, 1402-1421
The Emperor of Culture
Yongle and the Mongols
The Price of Glory
Epilogue
Appendix: The Children of Emperor Hongwu
Notes
Glossary of Chinese Characters
Bibliography
Index