Recommended read
China: A History
John Keay
Keay's sweeping narrative from the Shang dynasty to the People's Republic in one readable volume.
The World During Their Reign
The most notable rulers who held power elsewhere at the same time, from European courts to Ottoman, Mughal, and Chinese thrones.
Suleiman the Magnificent
Ottoman Empire
1520–1566
Henry VIII of England
England
1509–1547
Akbar
Mughal Empire
1556–1605
Humayun
Mughal Empire
1531–1540; 1555–1556
Elizabeth I of England
England
1558–1603
Charles V
Spain
1516–1556
Mary I
England
1553–1558
Charles V
Holy Roman Empire
1519–1556
Babur
Mughal Empire
1526–1531
John III of Portugal
Portugal
1521–1557
Gustav I of Sweden
Sweden
1523–1560
Francis I of France
France
1515–1547
Emperor Go-Nara
Japan
1526–1557
Mary, Queen of Scots
Scotland
1542–1567
Ashikaga Yoshiharu
Japan (Shogunate)
1522–1547
James V of Scotland
Scotland
1513–1542
Henry II of France
France
1547–1559
Ashikaga Yoshiteru
Japan (Shogunate)
1547–1565
Philip II of Spain
Spain
1556–1598
Pope Paul III
Papacy
1534–1549
Charles IX of France
France
1560–1574
Edward VI of England
England
1547–1553
Ferdinand I, Holy Roman Emperor
Holy Roman Empire
1556–1564
Pope Clement VII
Papacy
1523–1534
Emperor Ōgimachi
Japan
1557–1586
Sebastian, King of Portugal
Portugal
1557–1578
Emperor Go-Kashiwabara
Japan
1500–1526
Maximilian II, Holy Roman Emperor
Holy Roman Empire
1564–1576
Pope Pius IV
Papacy
1560–1565
Pope Julius III
Papacy
1550–1555
Pope Paul IV
Papacy
1555–1559
Erik XIV
Sweden
1560–1568
Meanwhile in history
One “meanwhile in history” story each week: who ruled where, and what was happening on thrones across the world.
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From the library
Go deeper on Jiajing Emperor of Ming
Hand-picked histories and biographies for readers who want more than the timeline: the same era, told in full.
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