Records of the Grand Historian: Qin Dynasty: III Hardcover – 1 Feb. 1993

Still good as new!

Totalitarianism is a concept we see as a product of modernity. The Marxist-Leninist gulags of the U.S.S.R, the Nazi concentration camps of the third reich or the Maoist cultural revolution. Yet these have not been the only ideologies with an emphasis on an all intrusive state. For just such an ideology existed in China 2200 years ago, and it's name was legalism. This was the basis for a unified state under the Qin dynasty, which although brief - it only lasted from 221 to 207 B.C.E - was a huge influence on the workings of Sima Qian magnum opus, the Shi Ji. Throughout the book there are a number of characters who jump out at us - the rather tragic Lu Buwei, the Machiavellian totalitarian legalism Li Si, who laid the foundations for China, the violent and sociopathic eunuch Zhao GAO, and of course, the megalomaniacal first emperor himself. - few of these characters are sympathetic, but oh are they interesting. It is rather ironic that this book should indeed have been written at all. The First emperor and his chancellor Li Si set out on a vigorous book burning crusade, to purge all that was contradictory to the regime and wasn't necessary. This was a big inspiration for Sima Qian's work. So why, you might ask, did I rate this four stars rather than five? The work itself is a classic, deserving of five stars, however there parts - not many it may fortunately be said - which have been omitted from this addition, most notable the first five records, dealing with pre-Qin china. Since the book is only just over 200 pages, and already fetched a rather expensive, though relatively reasonable, price, would it have been too much to ask for more, especially considering how compelling the work of that masterful historian is, who was rightly called the Herodotus of China In conclusion this is a must if you have an interest in history in general, it is a classic work comparable to the best of the Roman and Greek historians. On a side note I will provide a review of the other two editions of this work, both on the Han dynasty from it's founding to the emperor Wu, when I have finished them, though so far I would also recommend them as much as this volume.

Husband wanted this book, he is happy with it

The text gives the reader an incredible view into Ancient China. It helps to connect the writings of many Chinese historians to an image of their cultural history that is rarely seen.

Promesses tenues en tout point: très satisfaite, merci!

El contenido es muy interesante pero si es por el material del que está hecho, parece demasiado caro.Evidentemente si no sabes leer chino no queda otra, pero es muy caro.HAy algunos ejemplares de segunda mano en ebay enviados de EEUU, pero a los europeos apenas nos supone 5 euros de ahorro contando gastos y aranceles... El que tenga paciencia que espere a que aparezca alguno en UK... suerte.

Very interesting read, exactly what I expected from description. So far have only scanned through but plan to read it all this winter.