In ancient China, an emperor is regarded as tianzi or "Heaven's son", one who is sent from Heaven to rule the nation and its people. Little wonder that he held sway over the masses and is deemed sacred and inviolate. Literally, a dynasty's rise and fall, and the people's weal and woe, are intimately linked to his calibre and character. Much has been written about the great emperors of China. But what about those rulers who, through their whims and fancies, had the commoners gnash their teeth in grief and hate? Here are 12 stories on China's most notorious emperors—a motley crew of squanderers, murderers, thugs, lechers and idiots swaggering under the holy cloak of a tianzi! Read on and see how they got their just deserts!

Spanning over 2,000 years, Chronicle of the Chinese Emperors tells the history of China and its 157 rulers from the early empire of 221BC to the revolution, detailing in special features such diverse subjects as the Great Wall of China, the Silk Roads, Buddhism, the Mongols, the Ming Tombs, the Forbidden City and the Opium Wars. The book is illustrated with paintings, sculptures, woodcuts and portraits and maps. In addition, key information such as birthname and cause of death is given on each emperor, and timelines detail the major events of every reign. This is a book to read for pleasure, an essential reference volume for the home, school or library, and a source of discovery and inspiration on a culture that has enthralled people in the West throughout history.

Throughout the history of China, many rulers had come and gone. Who are the ones still standing tall in the annals of history as a result of their outstanding contributions and awe-inspiring character? There were the Three Sage Kings and the Five Legendary Rulers who painstakingly laid the foundation for Chinese civilisation. They were followed by luminaries like Emperor Shihuang of the Qin Dynasty who first unified China, Emperor Taizong of the Tang Dynasty who brought unprecedented prosperity to the land, and Emperor Kangxi of the Qing Dynasty who contributed to the progress of the sciences. All these eminent emperors had one thing in common: their love for their people. Who are the other great sovereigns who took personal responsibility for the people's happiness? Read on and find out!

Ming Da is only nine years old when he becomes the emperor of China, and his three advisors take advantage of him by stealing his stores of rice, gold, and precious stones. But Ming Da has a plan. With the help of his tailors, he comes up with a clever idea to outsmart his devious advisors: He asks his tailors to make “magical” new clothes for him. Anyone who is honest, the young emperor explains, will see the clothes’ true splendor, but anyone who is dishonest will see only burlap sacks. The emperor dons a burlap sack, and the ministers can’t help but fall for his cunning trick.

A History of Chinese imperial dynasties with illustrations.

A prominent authority on China’s Belt and Road Initiative reveals the global risks lurking within Beijing’s project of the century China’s Belt and Road Initiative is the world’s most ambitious and misunderstood geoeconomic vision. To carry out President Xi Jinping’s flagship foreign-policy effort, China promises to spend over one trillion dollars for new ports, railways, fiber-optic cables, power plants, and other connections. The plan touches more than one hundred and thirty countries and has expanded into the Arctic, cyberspace, and even outer space. Beijing says that it is promoting global development, but Washington warns that it is charting a path to global dominance. Taking readers on a journey to China’s projects in Asia, Europe, and Africa, Jonathan E. Hillman reveals how this grand vision is unfolding. As China pushes beyond its borders and deep into dangerous territory, it is repeating the mistakes of the great powers that came before it, Hillman argues. If China succeeds, it will remake the world and place itself at the center of everything. But Xi may be overreaching: all roads do not yet lead to Beijing.

Text and lavish photographs present the artistic treasures of Ch'in Shih Huang-ti, first Chinese emperor, and his successors.