Written by top scholars in the field, EAST ASIA: A CULTURAL, SOCIAL, AND POLITICAL HISTORY, VOLUME II: FROM 1600, 3E delivers a comprehensive cultural, political, economic, and intellectual history of East Asia, while focusing on the narratives and histories of China, Japan, and Korea in a larger, global context. Full color inserts on such topics as food, clothing, and art objects illustrate the rich artistic heritage of East Asia. A range of primary source documents spotlights women's independence, students-turned-soldiers, and other stirring issues, while intriguing biographical sketches throughout highlight the lives of popular figures and ordinary people alike.

Patricia B. Ebrey is Professor with Joint Appointment: Early Imperial China, Song Dynasty at the University of Washington in Seattle. In addition to THE CAMBRIDGE ILLUSTRATED HISTORY OF CHINA (Cambridge University Press, 1996), she has published numerous journal articles. Her monographs include THE INNER QUARTERS: MARRIAGE AND THE LIVES OF CHINESE WOMEN IN THE SUNG PERIOD (University of California Press, 1993) and CONFUCIANISM AND FAMILY RITUALS IN IMPERIAL CHINA: A SOCIAL HISTORY OF WRITING ABOUT RITES (Princeton University Press, 1991). She is also author of CHINA: A CULTURAL, SOCIAL, AND POLITICAL HISTORY (Houghton Mifflin, 2006). She received her Ph.D. from Columbia University in 1975.