Ebook The Cambridge Illustrated History of China Patricia Buckley Ebrey Kwangching Liu Books
Download As PDF : The Cambridge Illustrated History of China Patricia Buckley Ebrey Kwangching Liu Books
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).
Ebook The Cambridge Illustrated History of China Patricia Buckley Ebrey Kwangching Liu Books
"This is a truly helpful and stimulating introduction to Chinese History, an ideal companion volume to more structured, non-illustrated histories: clear, highly explanatory maps; excellent choice of images and visual documents that bring to life China's bygone ages. Although the book focusses on broad historical trends across China's pre-dynastic and imperial ages up to modern times, it also offers boxes that deal with iconic figures of their times and with cultural issues that defined each historic period. I use this book as one of my sources to teach a Chinese Cultural History course and it has never let me down. Its only weakness lies in the dearth of parallel text translations: unfortunately a very common feature of books dealing with Chinese culture, history, literature etc. written in the English language. Offering access to the original in Chinese can be a bonus, as some of the poems or documents quoted in English are not always to be found easily in Chinese over the net or elsewhere.
Still, a wonderful Chinese History book, highly recommended."
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The Cambridge Illustrated History of China Patricia Buckley Ebrey Kwangching Liu Books Reviews :
The Cambridge Illustrated History of China Patricia Buckley Ebrey Kwangching Liu Books Reviews
- When offering criticism one can (a) show off one's own knowledge by accusing an author of failing to cover some aspect, that a closer reading shows they never set out to cover; (b) be spiky and aggressive under the illusion this is being polemical; and (c) try to be objective, which is less entertaining but more generally useful. I shall try to do (c). With some experience in academic reading and none in Chinese history I wanted an up to date introductory overview by an authority on the subject so I could quickly get to grips with the basics. I don't expect an introductory overview to deal in depth with all areas, or follow anything but a general path, trying to precis current knowledge. This book did the job for me and my knowledge and enthusiasm about Chinese history has grown. It was concise and articulated central ideas comfortably and memorably. The unexpected jewel for this novice however is the guide to further reading. It is not a dry list of authors and titles, but a whole after-chapter. It sets out the best available reading in English on the subject and breaks it down into historical periods and general sub-categories within each period eg politics, social history, intellectual history, cultural history etc. It shows a teacher's instinct to conserve your vital interest by allowing you to keep on the path you are genuinely interested in. I suspect it amounts to a whole first degree reading list. The price to pay is that to get this useful reading guide into the space available the author has had to settle for rather small print for this section of the book. It is a price well worth paying. My only criticism is the book is cumbersome to hold for long periods, and the sooner it is available on the better.
- No single book can adequately cover the greater than 5000 year history of China, but this survey comes close. It is mainly a social, cultural and political history, concentrating on the social, cultural, and political causes and effects on the civilization of China. It is an excellent introductory course, especially when teamed with Harold M. Tanner's two volume "China, a History."
- This is a good solid introductory history of China with much more well written text that I had expected. It covers the major facts very well. I would recommend for an introductory college course or anyone interested but unfamiliar with Chinese history. It contains many excellent and informative full color maps that I particularly appreciated. The many full color illustrations are clear and relevant to the text. It will remain in my Chinese history collection as an accessible reference. Garrison Moore
- Great illustrations, which help a lot. no nonsense style brings us the facts we need. And there are a lot of facts in the thousands of years of Chinese history.
- I bought a copy (used) for all my college grandsons and one for my daughter who lives near by Hong Kong. I also gave on to my nephew when he was home in the USA. He lives in Beijing. The book is not self-righteous or preachy. It is the straight stuff. Careful reading is necessary if you are going to live in China.
- This is a truly helpful and stimulating introduction to Chinese History, an ideal companion volume to more structured, non-illustrated histories clear, highly explanatory maps; excellent choice of images and visual documents that bring to life China's bygone ages. Although the book focusses on broad historical trends across China's pre-dynastic and imperial ages up to modern times, it also offers boxes that deal with iconic figures of their times and with cultural issues that defined each historic period. I use this book as one of my sources to teach a Chinese Cultural History course and it has never let me down. Its only weakness lies in the dearth of parallel text translations unfortunately a very common feature of books dealing with Chinese culture, history, literature etc. written in the English language. Offering access to the original in Chinese can be a bonus, as some of the poems or documents quoted in English are not always to be found easily in Chinese over the net or elsewhere.
Still, a wonderful Chinese History book, highly recommended. - 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... - Needed this book for a Chinese History class and it arrived on time and in great condition. The price was more than fair and WAY cheaper than buying it new.
I thoroughly enjoyed this textbook and found it very easy to follow along. Ebrey's book is FAR less objective than many other books we sampled during my class. Another reviewer complained about how she scatters information around the book, frequently changing the subject only to come back to a thought she mentioned 30 pages back. I have to disagree completely. Instead, what Ebrey does is introduce a subject and interweave the significance of that subject into the entire chapter. This actually makes studying and learning the material in this book MUCH easier.
