The Cambridge History of Ancient China: From the Origins of Civilization to 221 BC

Availiable at a very good price due to being slightly damaged - proved invaluable in my research.

If only one word is to be used for the verdict on this book it must be “monumental”. More than a thousand pages of text and illustrations and another 100 pages of bibliography and general index.The work takes the reader from neolithic times to the year 221 B.C. where China was unified under one emperor. The 4 main epochs: the Shang Dynasty, the Western Zhou, Spring & Autumn and Warring States are each treated in 2 lengthy chapters, one dealing with the archaeology and the other with the history, as it is known from mainly later sources. For the 2 latter epochs we get additional chapters on the philosophers (e.g. Confucius & Mencius) and other cultural aspects. Finally there is a chapter on China’s northern neighbours at that time, and a sum-up of the period’s legacy to the subsequent empires.Each chapter is written by a separate scholar, expert in his or her field. Most are very good writers. Overlaps or inconsistencies between the chapters are very few. Obviously, the editors have done a tremendous job in streamlining everything.The chapters on philosophy and culture are complex to read, maybe more so than necessary. The writing here also seems to be less lucid and more convoluted. The main interest in these chapters appears to be in the sources of what we know – not what the ancient Chinese actually knew. The result may be a trifle dry. Also, the introduction to the Chinese language and script mainly focuses on the basic principles of creating a written version of the language. Here the present reviewer would have been more interested in the gradual development of the script, from the small hieroglyph-like pictures to the totally abstract characters known today.Curiously enough, the detailed historical treatise actually ends around 231 B.C, so we miss the story of the final 10 years’ conquests by Shi Huang of Qin, which unified the country and made him emperor.These small objections aside, the book has many nice features. For instance, whenever a Chinese word or name is spelled out in pinyin, the original characters are shown as well, eliminating the doubt which often accompanies romanized transcriptions of Chinese.In general, the layout and typescript of the pages are harmonious and pleasing to the eye. The numerous illustrations and maps support the text very well. They are in black and white and printed on the ordinary pages. This does render photographs a trifle pale, but is acceptable as a means of keeping down the cost of such a voluminous work.And finally, to my dear co-reviewers: I have read the entire book from one end to the other and seen no problem with the binding.In conclusion, for anyone interested in the ancient history of China and only wanting to read one book, the Cambridge History is the one to go for.

I am appalled at the bad quality of the binding, paper and printing of this book. Photocopies would look better. The few pictures look like photocopies of photocopies of photocopies. I am shocked at Cambridge University Press. This is not a hardback, but a paperback with a badly glued piece of cardboard as a cover. I have Cambridge University Press volumes of the History of Greek Philosophy and Ancient History which I bought in the 90's which are good quality hardback books. Unfortunately I did not read the reviews, before buying this item, as I trusted Cambridge University Press the quality of content and the book. This is not a book, it is a pile of very badly made photocopies glued together. I would have appreciated if Amazon had given a more realistic description of this book.

I have been writing a work on Chinese philosophy for several years, and have found the Cambridge History to be the most authoritative and reliable source for ancient Chinese history. It acts as a balance, a reference point, with which to compare other works and theories, of which there are many. The individual chapters are written by those pre-eminent in the field, including US, European and Chinese contributors.I have had my copy, which I use almost daily, for at least four years. I have found no problems with the quality of the binding etc. Since such problems can be solved by replacement or refund, I do not think that any review should be based solely, or even mainly, on such considerations.