For centuries, some of the world's largest empires fought for sovereignty over the resources of Northeast Asia. This compelling analysis of the region's environmental history examines the interplay of climate and competing imperial interests in a vibrant – and violent – cultural narrative. Families that settled this borderland reaped its riches while at the mercy of an unforgiving and hotly contested landscape. As China's strength as a world leader continues to grow, this volume invites exploration of the indelible links between empire and environment – and shows how the geopolitical future of this global economic powerhouse is rooted in its past.