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The Cambridge Illustrated History of China (Cambridge Illustrated Histories)
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$41.99
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| Part No: | 052166991X |
| Manufacturer: | Cambridge University Press |
| MFG Part: | |
| Customer Rating: | 4.0 / 5.0 |
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To compress 8,000 years of a civilization's life into a single volume is a daunting task, but University of Illinois historian Patricia Ebrey does the job with authority and considerable flair. Writing with an eye to explaining recurring themes in Chinese history, she discusses ideas of order and statecraft, resource allocation and use, imperialism and population growth. Along the way she makes interesting asides, noting, among other things, that the Mongol conquerors of China monopolized the bamboo trade because they did not want the ethnic Chinese to make weapons, and she gives stimulating overviews of such matters as the manufacture of silk, hardwood furniture, and ceramics.
More populous than any other country on earth, China also occupies a unique place in our modern world for the continuity of its history and culture. In this sumptuously illustrated single-volume history, noted historian Patricia Ebrey traces the origins of Chinese culture from prehistoric times to the present. She follows its development from the rise of Confucianism, Buddhism, and the great imperial dynasties to the Mongol, Manchu, and Western intrusions and the modern communist state. Her scope is phenomenal--embracing Chinese arts, culture, economics, society and its treatment of women, foreign policy, emigration, and politics, including the key uprisings of 1919 and 1989 in Tiananmen Square. Both a comprehensive introduction to an extraordinary civilization, and an expert exploration of the continuities and disjunctures of Chinese history, Professor Ebrey's book has become an indispensable guide to China past and present. Patricia Ebrey is Professor of East Asian Studies and History and the author of Chinese Civilization: A Sourcebook (1993).
In an extraordinary feat of synthesis, Patricia Buckley Ebrey 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. Everything appears, from the influence of leading Chinese historians, poets, novelists and dramatists to the impact of key philosophical and religious ideas, art forms, and the Mongul, Manchu and Western intrusions.
| Good for "light" Chinese history | 2010-04-06 | 2 / 5 |
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| Do not expect a deep understanding of the history of China if you purchase this book. You will get the basic facts but that is about it. If that is what you are looking for then go for it, but if you want more look for a book with several hundred more pages. |
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| Sorry this is so late...I just realized today that I hadn't reviewed this product. Anyway, great service! |
| Unnecessarily emphasizes "non-Chinese" vs. "Chinese" | 2009-06-13 | 1 / 5 |
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First of all, this so-called illustrated history of China is mostly text and quite dry at that. A lot of history-telling is also quite confusing. The pictures are also mostly not very interesting to look at.
What really makes this book terrible is the British author overly emphasizes the struggles between "non-Chinese" groups vs. Han Chinese. One thing we know about Chinese history is, unlike that of Japan and to some extent Korea, China proper was occupied by different "ethnic" groups throughout history, while expanding at the same time. The Han Chinese ethnicity itself has evolved greatly, much like the American identity has changed dramatically over the last 200 years (from WASP to "melting pot"). The author here seems to revel in telling the reader how Han Chinese were constantly beaten up by "foreign" peoples. An objective reader can't help but question her motivation in writing this book.
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| Great 101 helicoptere view of Chinese History | 2008-05-17 | 4 / 5 |
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Easy to read, this book accomplished what I was looking for: a complete high-level view of chinese history.
The few things I would have like to be a bit different:
- More maps, there are quite a few of them, but more would have helped
- Less on art, I did not care about history of Chinese art, but about China and Chinese people
- I was surprised that events like the building or the great wall or the decision to cut itself from the rest of the world by burning its navy was treated so quickly. I think some key events like these should have had a bit more time dedicated to them.
However, all-in-all, I'm glad I read this book. It reads like a novel, not a class textbook, and for the first time allowed me to have a better understanding of the Chinese history, beyong the last few decades I had learned in High-school.
I now need to find an equivalent book on India... |
| An interesting perspective on Chinese history | 2007-05-27 | 5 / 5 |
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| I'm a Chinese living in China. Because of politicized history accounts in China after 1949 I have little interest in official history books in Chinese. But I like this book very much; for me it provides a totally new perspective on the evolution of our culture, peoples and economy etc. The rich pictures in the book make reading easier and more interesting. |
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