Ancient China,

Rating:
Summary: Absolutely the Best
Review: It is impossible to praise this book too highly. The late Professor Edward Schafer was a tremendously gifted writer who brings ancient China to life in a way that no one else ever could. His fascination with ideas, ecology natural and cultural, and, most of all, the details of everyday existence, make this work a delight to read--it is only after you have finished it that you realize how much you've learned. Above all, Schafer presents his subjects as real, living human beings, so that you can see history unfold through their eyes. You will learn about Chinese philosophy and politics, art, literature, technology, and religion, over the course of some 2500 years...yet it will seem as if you had just read a page-turning novel. I do not wish to give the impression that this is a lightweight work; Schafer was one of the greatest authorities on ancient China ever. This book was the first I ever read on China, over 30 years ago, and even though I've read hundreds of books on Chinese history since, this one is still my favorite. Spend a few dollars and buy this little gem of a book, you will be glad you did!

Rating:
Summary: Absolutely the Best
Review: It is impossible to praise this book too highly. The late Professor Edward Schafer was a tremendously gifted writer who brings ancient China to life in a way that no one else ever could. His fascination with ideas, ecology natural and cultural, and, most of all, the details of everyday existence, make this work a delight to read--it is only after you have finished it that you realize how much you've learned. Above all, Schafer presents his subjects as real, living human beings, so that you can see history unfold through their eyes. You will learn about Chinese philosophy and politics, art, literature, technology, and religion, over the course of some 2500 years...yet it will seem as if you had just read a page-turning novel. I do not wish to give the impression that this is a lightweight work; Schafer was one of the greatest authorities on ancient China ever. This book was the first I ever read on China, over 30 years ago, and even though I've read hundreds of books on Chinese history since, this one is still my favorite. Spend a few dollars and buy this little gem of a book, you will be glad you did!