Product Description

In an extraordinary feat of synthesis, Patricia Buckley Ebrey, a leading scholar of China, gives an engaging, full, gloriously illustrated account of over 8000 years of Chinese civilization - from prehistoric times through the rise of Confucianism, Buddhism and the imperial dynasties to the modern communist state. In addition, she explores the different factors and forces, ideas and inventions, events and leaders that have shaped the remarkable Chinese civilization we know today; including the technological advances, the population explosion, and the turmoil of the Cultural Revolution. Everything appears, from the influence of leading Chinese historians, poets, novelists and dramatists to the impact of key philosophical and religious ideas, art forms, family patterns, and the Mongul, Manchu and Western intrusions.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #61989 in Books
• Published on: 1999-05-13
• Format: Illustrated
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 352 pages

Review
‘Patricia Ebrey’s Illustrated History of China is a fine book, sumptuous and scholarly. With great economy of text, it outlines the major elements and changes in four millennia of Chinese history and social life; the art work and photographs, skilfully chosen and admirably reproduced, both illuminate the text and supplement it.’ Jonathan Spence, Yale University

‘The splendid collection of pictures displays painstaking research. But it is the author’s careful and clear synthesis of China’s long history that is most remarkable. This book will, in time, I believe, be regarded as a classic.’ Kwang-Ching Liu, Davis

Customer Reviews

Splendid One Volume History of China
I have been very pleased with this book which I bought in order to have a one-volume general introduction to Chinese history. The work is coherent and readable throughout and contains reference to a wide range of those different subjects that provide such a rich texture to Chinese history: religion; philosophy; art; crime and punishment.

In terms of the usual pageants of princes and death, Ms Ebrey synthesises quite successfully major themes of history (or at least those in which I am most interested currently) without becoming bogged down in details. For example, the sections on southward expansion of the Empire during the Song Dynasty, its economic and industrial development and the relevance of this to nation building are all excellent summaries.

It would be easy - and probably unfair - to criticise a work such as this for what is omitted or for which subjects of particular interest to the reader might have been developed more. Readers who do wish for more information are provided with a section on further reading which should be sufficient to meet most needs.

Finally, the book is illustrated throughout and the numerous photographs, maps and reproductions are nicely chosen and add to the text.

I would certainly recommend this book.

Great book for research or just exploring Chinese history!
I used this book for a school report and although I had about 7 other books, I mainly used this one. It discussed all of the main trends in Chinese History and well as having pictures and little "focus" pages, which specialized in topics cruical to each era.
I think it was a great book also after since it was easy to read and understand. It was by no means difficult to read, but at a perfect level for discussing topics. A very good book!