Ancestors: 900 Years in the Life of a Chinese Family

Frank Ching traces his family lineage through 900 years of Chinese history, starting with the Song dynasty poet Qin Guan and continuing through generations of the Qin family. The narrative follows his ancestors through major historical periods including the Song, Yuan, Ming, and Qing dynasties. Based on extensive archival research and family documents, the book reconstructs the lives of Ching's ancestors against the backdrop of Chinese imperial history. The story centers on the city of Wuxi in Jiangsu Province, where the Qin clan maintained their ancestral home for centuries. The chronicle includes government officials, poets, scholars, and merchants, documenting their achievements, setbacks, and roles in significant historical events. It explores how the family maintained their status and traditions across multiple dynasties and political upheavals. This family history serves as a lens through which to examine the complexities of Chinese social structure, the scholar-official class, and the endurance of family lineages through imperial China's transformations.

Readers describe this as a meticulously researched family history that brings Chinese history to life through personal stories. Many note it helps explain Chinese culture and values through real examples rather than abstract concepts. Likes: - Clear connections between historical events and family impact - Details about Chinese social mobility across dynasties - Documentation and historical records that validate the narrative - Balance of personal stories with broader historical context Dislikes: - Dense genealogical details can be overwhelming - Some sections move slowly when focused on administrative records - Family tree diagrams could be clearer - Multiple characters with similar names create confusion Ratings: Goodreads: 3.9/5 (157 ratings) Amazon: 4.5/5 (31 ratings) Common review quote: "Like tracing your own family tree but with imperial examination records and historical documents to back it up." - Goodreads reviewer Several readers noted using it as a reference for understanding Chinese genealogical research methods.

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The Search for Modern China by Jonathan Spence Traces Chinese history from the Ming Dynasty to modern times through personal narratives and family stories that parallel the Qin family's experiences.

The Last Kings of Shanghai by Jonathan Kaufman Documents two Jewish families' multi-generational presence in China, showing how prominent families navigated Chinese society across historical periods.

China's Last Empire: The Great Qing by William T. Rowe Examines the lives of families and officials during the Qing Dynasty through historical records and personal accounts from the same era as the Qin family's prominence.

The Good Earth by Pearl S. Buck Follows multiple generations of a Chinese farming family through social and political changes, depicting family relationships across time periods similar to the Qin chronicle.

★ The author Frank Ching spent over 10 years researching his family history, traveling extensively across China and consulting archives in multiple countries. ★ The book's central figure, Qin Guan (1049-1100), was one of the most celebrated poets of the Southern Song Dynasty and developed a unique style known as "Wanyue." ★ The genealogical records used in the book survived the Cultural Revolution by being hidden in the walls of a family home in Wuxi. ★ The Qin family maintained detailed records of 28 generations, spanning from the Song Dynasty to modern times - an exceptionally rare feat in Chinese family documentation. ★ Wuxi, where much of the family history takes place, was historically known as "Little Shanghai" and was one of the richest cities in China during the late Ming and early Qing dynasties.