Ancient China: A Captivating Guide to the Ancient History of China and the Chinese Civilization Starting from the Shang Dynasty to the Fall of the Han Dynasty

by Captivating History

If you want to discover the captivating history of ancient China, then keep reading... To understand present-day China, its politics, society, and culture in general, we have to go back to the beginnings of the Chinese civilization. In this book, you will be led on a journey through almost 2,000 years of Chinese history, showing you all the ups and downs of those ancient times, the sufferings and joys of the Chinese people, along with their greatest achievements and failures. Dynasties will change, people will be killed and born, art made and destroyed, but the Chinese civilization will prevail, rising from humble beginnings to an empire that at some points outshined any other in the world at that time. And yet it won't be only a tale of kings and queens, emperors and rulers. Of palaces and forts, of swords and shields. It will also tell a story of farmers and merchants, artisans and artists, philosophers and scientists. And hopefully by the end of this introductory guide, you will gain a sense of what, who, and how the Chinese civilization was made as great as it was and still is. From that, a better understanding of this amazing Far Eastern culture and its history should arise as well as a greater appreciation of its achievements and contributions to the world. And with a better knowledge of history, a clearer understanding of the world will come as well. In Ancient A Captivating Guide to the Ancient History of China and the Chinese Civilization Starting from the Shang Dynasty to the Fall of the Han Dynasty , you will discover topics such as So if you want to learn more about Ancient China, scroll up and click the "add to cart" button!

Genres: History, China, Asia, Nonfiction, Ancient History

134 pages, Hardcover

Published December 22, 2019

Reviews

[Ashlyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't normally read non-fiction history books; however, I do enjoy history. When I do read a history book, I usually like to read one related to wars. I'm not very familiar with the History of Ancient China, but I thought this did a great job of going through several Dynasties. I learned a lot from this book and wasn't aware that China had so many Emperors in such little time (even a one-year-old!). I liked that this included maps when it referred to something specific and included a timeline in the back of the book to refer back to. Overall, I thought this was a good read to learn about Ancient China, and I'm glad that it didn't read like a textbook.

[Igor · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good first reading.

[Bob · Rating 2 out of 5]

Limited overview of Ancient China. Very little of my primary interest in the era before the Shang dynasty (the period from 3000 BCE to 1600 BCE, the earliest period of the claim that there is 5000 years of Chinese civilization). Most details were in the period from 221 BCE to 220 CE. There is a bibliography at least.

[Barbara Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

While this book is not a scholarly treatise on the history and culture of China, it does provide a solid introduction for students or those interested in an overview of Chinese civilization. It begins with the creation myths of ancient China, Paleolithic and Neolithic cultures, and archaeological discoveries. There is a discussion of the Shang and Zhou Dynasties and their rich cultural heritage. Five centuries of decentralization followed before the warlords emerged in a constant struggle for dominance. When the Han Dynasty gained power, they consolidated the best features of previous rulers which led to a golden age for the Chinese people and the emergence of the Silk Road trade. New inventions like paper and ship rudders led to technological advances. Rulers began to rely less on religion and gradually the lords under them who formerly owned much of the land diminished in significance.

There is a discussion of Chinese folk religion as well as more established religions like Confucianism and metaphysical thought. The Chinese used paper, melted iron ore, and created steel. They learned how to use the water wheel and invented the gear: the Chinese learned to pump water through pipes for irrigation.

A timeline of Chinese history is added, but I believe it would have been more effective if written as a horizontal graphic. The bibliography is not a list of sources but a recommendation of other books in the Captivating History series.
This book is entertaining and informative for readers age ten and older. Teachers and homeschool parents might consider it a worthwhile introduction to Chinese history and culture.

[Bonnie Dale Keck · Rating 5 out of 5]

kindle unlimited but one of my owned ones, list of related books at bottom.

If you want to discover the captivating history of ancient China, then keep reading... Free History BONUS Inside!

To understand present-day China, its politics, society, and culture in general, we have to go back to the beginnings of the Chinese civilization.

In this book, you will be led on a journey through almost 2,000 years of Chinese history, showing you all the ups and downs of those ancient times, the sufferings and joys of the Chinese people, along with their greatest achievements and failures. Dynasties will change, people will be killed and born, art made and destroyed, but the Chinese civilization will prevail, rising from humble beginnings to an empire that at some points outshined any other in the world at that time. And yet it won’t be only a tale of kings and queens, emperors and rulers. Of palaces and forts, of swords and shields.

It will also tell a story of farmers and merchants, artisans and artists, philosophers and scientists. And hopefully by the end of this introductory guide, you will gain a sense of what, who, and how the Chinese civilization was made as great as it was and still is. From that, a better understanding of this amazing Far Eastern culture and its history should arise as well as a greater appreciation of its achievements and contributions to the world. And with a better knowledge of history, a clearer understanding of the world will come as well.

In Ancient China: A Captivating Guide to the Ancient History of China and the Chinese Civilization Starting from the Shang Dynasty to the Fall of the Han Dynasty, you will discover topics such as
Chinese Lands and Birth of China Shang and Zhou Dynasties and the Rise of Royal Power Disintegration of Royal Power Birth of Imperial China Rise and Fall of the Han Dynasty Society of Ancient China The Ancient Chinese Culture Inventions and Innovations of the Ancient Chinese And much, much more!

Ancient China: A Captivating Guide to the Ancient History of China and the Chinese Civilization Starting from the Shang Dynasty to the Fall of the Han Dynasty
Mao Zedong: A Captivating Guide to the Life of a Chairman of the Communist Party of China, the Cultural Revolution and the Political Theory of Maoism

[Mike Cheng · Rating 2 out of 5]

A short summary of early China that covers the inception of known society through the end of the Han Dynasty. The first signs of civilization and early agriculture (such as millet farming) were found in the fertile lands contained between the Yellow River and Yangtze River. Even today this area remains the most densely populated part of the country. Chinese mythology ascribes the beginning of the world to Panggu (盤古), a deity who emerged from an egg and split heaven and earth as Yang and Yin. The first dynasty, the Xia, whose existence is doubted by some scholars, was followed by the Shang and Zhou dynasties. What followed was the Spring and Autumn period, when a power vacuum resulted in warfare among smaller states. This also saw a plethora of intellectual and philosophical movements, including Confucianism, Taoism, Legalism, and Mohism. The consolidation of certain states, who then battled one another, gave rise to what is known as the Warring States period, whose end marked the beginning of Imperial China with the Qin Dynasty and its self-proclaimed First Emperor, Qin Shi Huang (秦始皇). The Qin rule was relatively short lived at about 15 years, though under such there were notable historical touchstones including the conglomeration of the Great Wall and the construction of the Terracotta Army. The final periods covered by the book are the founding of the Han Dynasty by Liu Bang, and 400 years later, the prelude to its downfall marked by the infighting among warlords / legendary figures such as Liu Bei, Sun Quan, and Cao Cao. As one might expect from a book of only 134 pages, this was a quick read that is too superficial to even be considered a decent primer for the periods discussed.

[Glen Pettifer · Rating 1 out of 5]

This is a difficult read.
I've had to do something I don't like doing and abandon reading this half way through because it's too difficult to digest. I hate doing this but I'm not taking any of this in, it's just causing headaches!
I wouldn't recommend this unless your Chinese or have a deep interest in China. I'm not being racist but the Chinese names are confusing and not for me I'm afraid.
Maybe I'll come back to it at a later date but today it's out me off reading.

[Stephen · Rating 3 out of 5]

First 8 chapters or so focus a lot on which kingdoms were attacking which, which was a bit dry, but the last couple of chapters on culture and technology were pretty interesting. It was good to get a clear overview of the distinct periods in ancient Chinese history so that I can study deeper those that interest me.

[Nicolas · Rating 3 out of 5]

Un libro bastante breve pero que deja de ser fascinante como el titulo lo indica, el contenido de algunos capitulos es bastante escuento y mal redactado, aunque otros estan mejor presentados y con informacion bastante muy interesante. La incorporacion de mapas y referencias ilustradas ayuda y motiva bastante. Debo admitir que he aprendido mucho.

[Peter Lineham · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a reasonable account of China a good summary of sources, but why is the author’s name (Matt Clayton see the closing pages) not given?