Nicola Di Cosmo joined the Institute for Advanced Study, School of Historical Studies, in 2003 as the Luce Foundation Professor in East Asian Studies. He is the author of Ancient China and Its Enemies and his research interests are in Mongol and Manchu studies and Sino-Inner Asian relations.

'Anyone interested in this unique description of Manchu-Chinese warfare viewed through the eyes of a participant should read it: there is much here to learn and much that will entertain in the process.' - Denis Sinor, Journal of Asian History, 41/1, 2007'Zengšeo's diary and Di Cosmo's translation are a very precious contribution to "inside Manchu history" and - which should be underlined - to Manchu autochtonous literature... Though the problem of Manchu "sinicization" is far from being solved, the book under review is indeed a fine contribution to such a complicated issue.' - Giovanni Stary, Central Asiatic Journal, 51/2, 2007

• Introduction. Translation. Manchu Text. Bibliography. Glossary. Index