Chinese History: A Manual

by Endymion Wilkinson

THIS EDITION HAS BEEN REPLACED BY A NEWER EDITION A comprehensive and up-to-date guide on the basic problems encountered in researching traditional Chinese civilization and history, this manual includes discussions of over 1,000 primary sources as well as 1,000 reference works. The first part covers the basics of language, geography, dates, time, statistics, and primary sources. The second part treats primary sources, such as archives, legal codes, literature, and science. The third part lists key sources by historical period, from the pre-Qin period through the Qing.

Genres: History, China, Nonfiction, Reference

1068 pages, Hardcover

First published December 1, 1998

About the author

English diplomat and sinologist who served as the European Union Ambassador to China and Mongolia from 1994 to 2001.
He is particularly noted for Chinese History: A New Manual, an authoritative guide to Sinology and Chinese history for which he was awarded the Prix Stanislas Julien for 2014.

Reviews

[James · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is essential for any sinologist or academic working on China. Wilkinson outlines key historical themes and matters such as understanding Chinese names, weights and measures, currency, time telling, and cuisine to name only a select few. Of particular importance to the researcher is that each chapter has an extensive list of sources to which the researcher can go; also he organises key sources by dynasty or historical period. In all, an essential volume in the sinologist's library.

[Keith Bouchard · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some parts were very enjoyable -- but it's more of a 'manual' than I realized. I would recommend a different book unless you are a student in need of primary source material. Essentially this book is many little summarizations of different aspects of Chinese history, followed by long lists of primary and secondary source material for student use. I give it 3 stars for thoroughness, but would have given less for pleasure of reading

[Will Buckingham · Rating 5 out of 5]

Totally overhauled from the previous edition (which was already astonishing and impressive), laid out with meticulous care, weighing in at 1.5 million words, and full of fascinating historical detail: this is a stunning piece of work. Perhaps unexpectedly, it is also a highly entertaining read. I stand in awe. Any down-sides? Well, it's not exactly portable...

[Brent Pinkall · Rating 5 out of 5]

By far the best resource on all things China. This is not a typical "history" of China but rather a source book that includes comprehensive lists of the best scholarly research in every area of sinology. Wilkinson helpfully summarizes the merits and demerits of each resource he lists, and also provides helpful mini articles on each topic and subtopic. Every sinologist must own this. I've used the fourth edition in the past and recently came into position of the fifth edition, but I see that a two-volume sixth edition will come out later this year. I cannot wait.

[汪先生 · Rating 3 out of 5]

2023-04-26
7，北大版。
作为一个外国人，把中国历史上的文字、著作、官职、宗教等元素收集到这个程度，十分不易，并且从翻译中可以看出魏根深理解的很深入。书籍主体是古代史的部分，以自然环境、社会领域分类为主，兼及朝代的递进，英汉互译的部分让我学习到了不少单词。缺点是民国史领域过分简单，相较于远超古代史的资料而言，篇幅过少；其次是出版的问题，可能涉及不少删减，译者做了一个很好的规避，将敏感的英文资料一笔带过，不作翻译，明眼人便能看出来，比如被红军抓走的传教士Bosshardt&Hayman的著作。

[Tammi Owens]

TRUE

[Andrej Mrevlje · Rating 5 out of 5]

There are no pages, this is a huge and precious reference book for students of China. I will be using it for the rest of my days.
It is a precious tool!

[Rob · Rating 5 out of 5]

Haven't read but bought and dip into. Magnificent.