Frederic Wakeman, Jr. "The Great Enterprise: The Manchu Reconstruction of Imperial Order in Seventeenth-Century China, Volume 1," (University of California Press, 1985)

The book is a historical study of the Manchu conquest of China during the Ming dynasty. The excerpts focus on the fall of the Ming dynasty, the rise of the Qing dynasty under Nurhaci, and the Manchu quest for power. The text includes discussions of the Manchu military system, their relationship with the Chinese people, and the impact of the conquest on Chinese society and culture. The excerpts also provide a detailed account of the Manchu invasion of Liaodong and the conquest of the Ming capital at Beijing. Manchu Conquest of China During Ming Dynasty Fall of the Ming Dynasty and Rise of the Qing Nurhaci and the Founding of the Qing Dynasty Manchu Military System and Strategy Manchu Invasion of Liaodong Region Conquest of Beijing by Manchu Forces Impact of Manchu Rule on Chinese Society Cultural Changes During Manchu Conquest Ming to Qing Transition in Chinese History Manchu Relations with Chinese People Manchu Quest for Power in China Historical Study of Qing Dynasty Origins Manchu Conquest and Chinese Culture Military History of the Manchu Conquest Ming Dynasty Collapse and Qing Ascension