Inked: Tattooed Soldiers and the Song Empire's Penal-Military Complex.

"Inked: Tattooed Soldiers and the Song Empire's Penal-Military Complex" by Elad Alyagon is a book that explores the social dimensions of Chinese military history during the Song dynasty. The author focuses on the use of tattoos as a means of identification and stigmatization among soldiers. The book examines the transformation of the military into a tiered organization with a hierarchy of status and duties, as well as the conscription of soldiers from various social backgrounds. It also delves into the experiences of military families and the resistance faced by soldiers within the penal-military complex. The book sheds light on a lesser-known aspect of Chinese military history and offers a unique perspective on the lives of soldiers during the Song dynasty. [Extracted from the article]