Hugh R. Clark was a member of the history and East Asian studies programs at Ursinus College (Pennsylvania) for 35 years. He is now retired from active teaching.

By absorbingly interlacing historical narrative with allegory, Hugh Clark informs us, as no previous author has, of the comprehensive scope and impactful southward expansion of the medieval Chinese civilization-building project. Clark’s book is a must-read for anyone seeking knowledge of the foundations of Chinese identity formation during this pivotal time.”—Don J. Wyatt, John M. McCardell,Jr. Distinguished Professor, Department of History,Middlebury College, USA.

• Relevant Dynastic Timeline; Preface; 1. Introduction to a Problem; 2. The Story; 3. Some Background; 4. The Sinitic Encounter and Wu Xing; 5. The Song Consolidation and Sinitic Accommodation; 6. The Ecological and Environmental Consequences; 7. Conclusions; Suggestions for Further Reading; Index

Hugh R. Clark was a member of the history and East Asian studies programs at Ursinus College (Pennsylvania) for 35 years. He is now retired from active teaching.

By absorbingly interlacing historical narrative with allegory, Hugh Clark informs us, as no previous author has, of the comprehensive scope and impactful southward expansion of the medieval Chinese civilization-building project. Clark’s book is a must-read for anyone seeking knowledge of the foundations of Chinese identity formation during this pivotal time.”—Don J. Wyatt, John M. McCardell,Jr. Distinguished Professor, Department of History,Middlebury College, USA.

• Relevant Dynastic Timeline; Preface; 1. Introduction to a Problem; 2. The Story; 3. Some Background; 4. The Sinitic Encounter and Wu Xing; 5. The Song Consolidation and Sinitic Accommodation; 6. The Ecological and Environmental Consequences; 7. Conclusions; Suggestions for Further Reading; Index

Hugh R. Clark was a member of the history and East Asian studies programs at Ursinus College (Pennsylvania) for 35 years. He is now retired from active teaching.

By absorbingly interlacing historical narrative with allegory, Hugh Clark informs us, as no previous author has, of the comprehensive scope and impactful southward expansion of the medieval Chinese civilization-building project. Clark’s book is a must-read for anyone seeking knowledge of the foundations of Chinese identity formation during this pivotal time.”—Don J. Wyatt, John M. McCardell,Jr. Distinguished Professor, Department of History,Middlebury College, USA.

• Relevant Dynastic Timeline; Preface; 1. Introduction to a Problem; 2. The Story; 3. Some Background; 4. The Sinitic Encounter and Wu Xing; 5. The Song Consolidation and Sinitic Accommodation; 6. The Ecological and Environmental Consequences; 7. Conclusions; Suggestions for Further Reading; Index