The Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period was a rare era of chaos in Chinese history. During more than half a century of turmoil and conflict, various separatist forces rose and fell in a chaotic and disorganized manner: Zhu Wen's cruelty and tyranny, Li Cunxu's fleeting reign, Shi Jingtang's appeasement, Li Yu's helplessness and melancholy… Due to limited historical materials and the chaotic nature of the period, excellent works on the Five Dynasties were scarce for a long time. Mr. Tao Maobing, through meticulous research, filling in gaps, and offering detailed interpretations, has finally produced this rare masterpiece on the Five Dynasties. The book, with its clear structure, vivid narration, and insightful commentary, paints a vivid and multifaceted picture of the society during this period. It delves deeply into political, economic, and cultural aspects, while also discussing the Khitan and other surrounding ethnic minorities. Furthermore, it makes numerous connections, placing the history of the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms within the broader context of Chinese history. In this way, this book is no longer an isolated history of the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms, nor is it a history of the conflicts between the Central Plains dynasties. In form, it is a history of a specific period, but it has the significance of a comprehensive history.
五代十国，是中国历史上少有的乱世，在长达半个多世纪的离乱纷争中，各路割据势力乱哄哄你方唱罢我登场：朱温的残酷暴虐、李存勖的昙花一现、石敬瑭的委曲求全、李煜的无奈惆怅……因为史料有限，加之混乱难理头绪，很长一段时间里，难见五代史佳作。陶懋炳先生钩沉索隐，拾遗补缺，细致诠释，终成这部难得的五代史佳作，全书以清晰的脉络、生动的叙述、精到的点评，刻画出了一幅立体感十足的五代十国时期的社会图景。从政治、经济、文化等方面深入挖掘，同时，又论及了契丹等周边各少数民族。不仅如此，还在很多地方上挂下连，将五代十国的历史置于整个中国历史发展的长河中去考察。这样，本书不再是一部孤立的五代十国史，也不是一部中原王朝纷争史，形式上，它是断代史，然而，却有了通史的意义。
五代十国，是中国历史上少有的乱世，在长达半个多世纪的离乱纷争中，各路割据势力乱哄哄你方唱罢我登场：朱温的残酷暴虐、李存勖的昙花一现、石敬瑭的委曲求全、李煜的无奈惆怅……因为史料有限，加之混乱难理头绪，很长一段时间里，难见五代史佳作。陶懋炳先生钩沉索隐，拾遗补缺，细致诠释，终成这部难得的五代史佳作，全书以清晰的脉络、生动的叙述、精到的点评，刻画出了一幅立体感十足的五代十国时期的社会图景。从政治、经济、文化等方面深入挖掘，同时，又论及了契丹等周边各少数民族。不仅如此，还在很多地方上挂下连，将五代十国的历史置于整个中国历史发展的长河中去考察。这样，本书不再是一部孤立的五代十国史，也不是一部中原王朝纷争史，形式上，它是断代史，然而，却有了通史的意义。
