Exploring the Life, Myth, and Art of Ancient China

Ancient Civilisations: life, myth and art #6

by Edward L. Shaughnessy

This book is a comprehensive book about China's art, life, and culture. Using the latest discoveries by historians this book explores China's literature, music, religions, economy and cuisine.

Genres: China, History, Archaeology

144 pages, Library Binding

First published August 1, 2005

Reviews

[Avneesh Dhariwal]

A basic introduction of the major events of the timeline of China.

[Mel]

I bought this book as it had the best reproduction of the Han dynasty picture of Xiwangmu that I've seen. It looked like a fairly typical basic art book about China, but then I noticed it was written by Edward Shaughnessy who is a proper Chinese historian so I decided it was worth getting. The book has some amazing pictures and gives a very good brief overview of Chinese history from the Bronze Age to the An Lushan rebellion in the mid-Tang. The book looks at all aspects of life in early Imperial China, from politics, war, art and religion. This book is a really great introduction to early dynastic history. And it has a fantastic list of references at the back for those who wish to learn more, most of which I've read and really enjoyed. I would highly recommend this book as an excellent starting point to anyone who is wanting to learn more about China's early history.

[Marsha]

Great background info for me, but not something my kids would read. Although I could see them thumbing through the book and just reading the pictures/captions would be beneficial.

[Ivan]

Zanimljiv presjek povijesti, vjerovanja, kulture i svakodnevice drevne Kine. Pisana jednostavno, čitko, na popularan način i bogato ilustrirana, zgodna je kao ishodište za dalja proučavanja.

[Dijana]

Great book!