<<明史綱目>>是朝鮮王朝眾多明史著作中極為重要的一部，但長期以來對此書寫 作動機、史料來源、史書價值、甚至作者皆存在著不同程度的誤解。本文經過細密的考證， 指出李玄錫是在朝鮮思明感恩的形勢下，修史以紀念明朝；其史源主要是明清人的著述，直 接徵引過二十二位史家的著作，所引皆是史論性材料，可見李玄錫重視史論。由於他幾乎未 用朝鮮史料，故內容上並無新的突破，且全書體例比較零亂。雖然李玄錫修完初稿就去世了 ，但他仍應是唯一作者。 由於禁書朱璘 << 明紀輯略 >> 的牽連，<< 明史綱目 >> 幾乎被 毀，終因此書很重要，最後祇去除引自 << 明紀輯略 >> 的有關材料，原書得以在 1771 年 再刊。

　　　　　As one of the most important histories on Ming during Yi Dynasty, Mingshi Gangmu was misunderstood for a long time as regards its motive. sources, value and its author. With scrupulous analysis, this paper deals with the followings: firstly, Mingshi Gangmu originated in Li Xuanxi's intent to commemorate Ming Dynasty under the circumstance of the whole country falling into the memory of Ming. Secondly, most historical data of this book came from the writings of Ming-Qing historians and those direct quotations, mostly argumentative, were cited from the writings of 22 historians. For lack of using the historical data of Yi Korea, the book had no breakthrough in content and its compilation formation was comparatively confused. Thirdly, even though Li Xuanxi died just after he finished the first draft, he was still the only author. Fourthly, Mingshi Gangmu was almost forbidden and destroyed because it cited materials from a banned book--Mingji jiliu. After all it was reprinted in 1771 with the quotations from Mingji jiliu being excised.