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Title: The Cambridge Illustrated History of China by Patricia Buckley Ebrey ISBN: 0-521-66991-X Publisher: Cambridge University Press Pub. Date: 13 May, 1999 Format: Paperback Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $35.00 |
Average Customer Rating: 4.64 (11 reviews)
Rating: 5
Summary: Easy to read, beautiful to look at
Comment: This presents a very good overview of Chinese history that is both understandable and enjoyable. The pictures and photos add much depth to what can sometimes seem a linear reading of history. After you read this book, you will want to board a plane for Xian.
1) First, the dynasties in chronological order: Zhou, Qin, Han, Tang, Song, Lio, Jin, Yuan, Ming, Qing.
2) Zhou (770-240BC) is an era of constant warfare and power struggles. Confucius and Lao-tzu (creator of Daoism) are born during this period. Their writings have an enormous impact on Eastern thought and governance. The famous terracotta warrors also date back to Zhou.
3) Qin (221-206BC) and Han (202BC-220AD). This is the start of China as an empire. (pg 60) Trate routes reach all the way to Turkey, The population is 58M in 2AD (slightly larger than contemporary Rome). The great wall starts construction.
4) Tang (581-907) unifies what is now considered modern China.
They link Northern and Southern China by huge canals and inter-regional trade floursihed. Chang'an becomes the world's largest city. Culture and the arts start to thrive.
5) Song (907-1276) is not able to control East Asia like Tang or Han. They broker deals with neighboring states for a shaky peace. The status quo continues. By the 11th century, China is outpacing Europe in terms of "agricultural productivity, industrial technology, and sophistication of commercial organization." (161)
6) Ghengis Khan (1162-1227) creates huge lightning force of calvary that eventually covers 2/3 of Asian continent. Some of the cities under his (and grandson's) control: Beijing, Lhasa, Moscow, Kiev, Ormuz, and Baghdad. The divisions between Mongol ruling class and Chinese are kept clear by law, status, and language. The Chinese resent this alien rule.
7) Ming (1368-1644) is founded by Taizu, who is was the first commoner to become emperor in 1,500 years. (191) The population continues to grow, but the country is not entirely under control. Mongols attack from the North, while the Japanese attack from the east.
8) Manchus (1644-1900) from Manchuria (east of Mongolia, above Korea) create the Qing dynasty. They govern efficiently. They force their subjects to adopt the Manchu hairstyle (shaved heads with braided hair in the back) as a symbol of their loyalty. Trade with Europe increases exponentially. By 1800, Europe was buying 1/7 of all Chinese tea. This eventually leads to the Opium wars. Various colonial powers all vy for a piece of China.
9) Sun Yatsen, Chang Kaishek, Mao Zedong round out the rest of this beautifully illustrated book.
Rating: 5
Summary: Easy to understand
Comment: My Professor used this text and I find that it is easy to understand and read. One of the feature of this book is that at the end of every chapter, the author would include her opinions and at the same time, she will relay what happened in Europe or U.S. at that particular time. For instance, in 1700-1800, China was ruled by the last empire- the Manchu and it was also during this time that the Americans gained independence. To me, it's always nice to know what happened during a particular period in the opposite side of the world.
I would strongly recommend this book for anyone who wants to know more about the Chinese history as it's very easy to follow.
Rating: 5
Summary: very good, very brief
Comment: If you're looking for a general overview or first book to read on Chinese history, this it. It's concise and very clearly organized, giving an even coverage over the whole course of Chinese history. The many photos are generally quite relevant to the text, though I found the maps made little sense to me. She uses pinyin for all names regardless of time or place -- which is mostly good. I found her writing very dry, but you'll notice some reviewers say she's a great writer. I think the book is strongest on high culture (as opposed to politics and battles and emperors and such)
Don't expect this brief book to overflow with details. If you want details, then you'll have to read Jacques Gernet's "A History of Chinese Civilization".
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Title: A Concise History of China by J. A. G. Roberts ISBN: 0674000757 Publisher: Harvard Univ Pr Pub. Date: December, 1999 List Price(USD): $17.95 |
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Title: Chinese Civilization : A Sourcebook, 2nd Ed by Patricia Buckley Ebrey ISBN: 002908752X Publisher: Free Press Pub. Date: 10 May, 1993 List Price(USD): $19.95 |
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Title: Sources of Chinese Tradition by William Theodore De Bary, Irene Bloom, Joseph Adler ISBN: 0231109393 Publisher: Columbia University Press Pub. Date: 15 March, 2000 List Price(USD): $25.00 |
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Title: A History of Chinese Civilization by Jacques Gernet, J. R. Foster, Charles Hartman ISBN: 0521497817 Publisher: Cambridge University Press Pub. Date: 31 May, 1996 List Price(USD): $29.00 |
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Title: The Search for Modern China by Jonathan D. Spence ISBN: 0393307808 Publisher: W.W. Norton & Company Pub. Date: October, 2001 List Price(USD): $29.95 |
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