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Records of the Grand Historian: Han Dynasty II Paperback – April 15, 1993
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- Print length505 pages
- LanguageEnglish
- PublisherColumbia University Press
- Publication dateApril 15, 1993
- Dimensions9.01 x 6.05 x 1.3 inches
- ISBN-100231081677
- ISBN-13978-0231081672
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Product details
- Publisher : Columbia University Press; 3rd edition (April 15, 1993)
- Language : English
- Paperback : 505 pages
- ISBN-10 : 0231081677
- ISBN-13 : 978-0231081672
- Item Weight : 1.7 pounds
- Dimensions : 9.01 x 6.05 x 1.3 inches
- Best Sellers Rank: #1,076,230 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #379 in General Broadcasting (Books)
- #1,272 in Journalism Writing Reference (Books)
- #1,795 in Chinese History (Books)
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How can anyone understand China without this book?
Virtually all those chapters are related to the long and eventful reign of Han Wudi (born in 156, became emperor in 141, exerced real power 135-87BC), one of the greatest and most controversial of Chinese emperors. He humbled and tamed the Xiongnu nomads who were until then pillaging China and humiliating its rulers and by his conquests he gave to China more or less its present borders (with the exception of Tibet). He also followed into steps of First Emperor by achieving the creation of an efficient, omnipresent, unified imperial administration and reducing to almost nothing local autonomous powers of vassal kings and marquises. However, those achievements came with a high price and Han Wudi also committed some of most outrageous injustices and caused some of the most heartbreaking tragedies in whole Chinese history - for those reasons he died cursed by his subjects and is still remembered as one of the most heartless tyrants who ever ruled the country.
Perfectly translated by great Burton Watson, those chapters from "Records of the Grand Historian" tell the story of great achievements and great tragedies. We are told in detail about the great conquests, like those of Min Yue, Nan Yue, Chaoxian and Dian - and also about a fiasco disguised into a victory (the chapter about Dayuan). We are also told about the main ministers and generals serving Han Wudi, like Li Guang, Wei Qing, Li Guangli, the incredibly brave and tragic hero Li Ling and especially Huo Qubing, possibly the greatest Chinese cavalry commander ever. We can also read about emperor's cousins, kings of Huainan and Hengshan whom Han Wudi distrusted, feared and hated - and ultimately had them destroyed.
It takes some time and effort and at least two reading of every chapter to actually build up a good understanding of the chronology of events and links between different chapters and characters - but once the whole picture emerges, it is a gretly impressive thing. Those were exceptional times, with great achievements and immense tragedies intimately mixed and this book says it almost all - but not everything. Han Wudi didn't trust his Grand Historian and had his whole history carefully examined, page by page, before approving it - but he also ordered total destruction of some chapters, including a detailed biography of himself. This is the reason why there is no biography of emperor Wu himself in this book describing his life and achievements - we can only have glimpses into his life in biographies of others...
This is a precious book and reading it was an exciting adventure and a great intellectual voyage. Recommended to all amateurs of history and good books in general. Enjoy!
Top reviews from other countries
oggetto - semplicemente splendido, ottima edizione, traduzione piacevole e acutamente commentata dove opportuno. Un complemento indispensabile alla conoscenza non solo della Cina ma della storia dell'umanita'
raccomandato - moltissimo
limiti - nessuno