Recommended read
Emperor of China: Self-Portrait of K'ang-hsi
Jonathan D. Spence
Spence's masterpiece, Kangxi in his own words, assembled from palace memorials.
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.
Louis XIV of France
France
1643–1715
Aurangzeb
Mughal Empire
1658–1707
Charles II of Spain
Spain
1665–1700
Mehmed IV
Ottoman Empire
1648–1687
Charles II of England
England
1660–1685
Farrukhsiyar
Mughal Empire
1713–1719
Frederick I of Prussia
Prussia
1701–1713
Bahadur Shah I
Mughal Empire
1707–1712
Leopold I, Holy Roman Emperor
Holy Roman Empire
1658–1705
Frederick William I of Prussia
Prussia
1713–1740
Charles XI of Sweden
Sweden
1660–1697
Tokugawa Tsunayoshi
Japan (Shogunate)
1680–1709
Ahmed III
Ottoman Empire
1703–1730
Charles II of England
Scotland
1660–1685
Emperor Reigen
Japan
1663–1687
Emperor Higashiyama
Japan
1687–1709
Afonso VI of Portugal
Portugal
1656–1683
Peter II of Portugal
Portugal
1683–1706
William III of England
England
1689–1702
Pope Clement XI
Papacy
1700–1721
Tokugawa Ietsuna
Japan (Shogunate)
1651–1680
Louis XV of France
France
1715–1774
Charles XII of Sweden
Sweden
1697–1718
George I of Great Britain
Great Britain
1714–1727
John V of Portugal
Portugal
1706–1750
Mustafa II
Ottoman Empire
1695–1703
Charles VI, Holy Roman Emperor
Holy Roman Empire
1711–1740
Anne, Queen of Great Britain
Great Britain
1707–1714
Charles VI, Holy Roman Emperor
Spain
1706–1714
Philip V of Spain
Spain
1700–1706; 1714–1724; 1724–1746
Emperor Nakamikado
Japan
1709–1735
Mary II of England
England
1689–1694
Anne, Queen of Great Britain
England
1702–1707
Pope Innocent XI
Papacy
1676–1689
James II of England
England
1685–1688
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 Kangxi Emperor
Hand-picked histories and biographies for readers who want more than the timeline: the same era, told in full.
The Search for Modern China
Jonathan D. Spence
Spence's survey devotes exceptional attention to the Kangxi–Qianlong high Qing.
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The Last Emperors: A Social History of Qing Imperial Institutions
Evelyn S. Rawski
Institutional depth on how Qing emperors governed, essential context for Kangxi's sixty-one-year reign.
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