--- product_id: 581835935 title: "The Cambridge History of Ancient China: From the Origins of Civilization to 221 BC" price: "VT81053" currency: VUV in_stock: true reviews_count: 5 url: https://www.desertcart.vu/products/581835935-the-cambridge-history-of-ancient-china-from-the-origins-civilization store_origin: VU region: Vanuatu --- # The Cambridge History of Ancient China: From the Origins of Civilization to 221 BC **Price:** VT81053 **Availability:** ✅ In Stock ## Quick Answers - **What is this?** The Cambridge History of Ancient China: From the Origins of Civilization to 221 BC - **How much does it cost?** VT81053 with free shipping - **Is it available?** Yes, in stock and ready to ship - **Where can I buy it?** [www.desertcart.vu](https://www.desertcart.vu/products/581835935-the-cambridge-history-of-ancient-china-from-the-origins-civilization) ## Best For - Customers looking for quality international products ## Why This Product - Free international shipping included - Worldwide delivery with tracking - 15-day hassle-free returns ## Description The Cambridge History of Ancient China: From the Origins of Civilization to 221 BC : Loewe, Michael, Shaughnessy, Edward L.: desertcart.ae: Books Review: For too long there has been no up-to-date, general historical introduction to ancient China. This book remedies that deficiency, and does so in a wonderful way! The book is topically organized, with each chapter written by a leading scholar on that topic. The list of contributors reads like a "Who's Who" of contemporary Sinology: K.C. Chang on Chinese "pre-history"; David Keightley on the Shang Dynasty; Hsu Cho-yun on the Spring and Autumn Period; Mark Lewis on the Warring States Period; David S. Nivison (see his _The Ways of Confucianism_) on ancient Chinese philosophy, etc. The general reader should be warned that the scholarship here is sometimes a little intimidating. However, careful reading will be well repaid. As you can see, the price is a real problem. Perhaps it will come out in paperback some day, but I wouldn't count on it happening any time soon. If you are seriously interested in ancient China, hock your wedding ring and buy this book! Review: Une base incontournable pour commencer à comprendre la Chine pré-Qin par les meilleurs spécialistes. ## Technical Specifications | Specification | Value | |---------------|-------| | Customer reviews | 4.0 4.0 out of 5 stars (20) | | Dimensions | 15.88 x 6.35 x 23.5 cm | | Edition | Illustrated | | ISBN-10 | 0521470307 | | ISBN-13 | 978-0521470308 | | Item weight | 1.7 Kilograms | | Language | English | | Print length | 1182 pages | | Publication date | 13 March 1999 | | Publisher | Cambridge University Press | ## Images ![The Cambridge History of Ancient China: From the Origins of Civilization to 221 BC - Image 1](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/71wxQiffnUL.jpg) ## Customer Reviews ### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Review *by T***C on 13 November 2000* For too long there has been no up-to-date, general historical introduction to ancient China. This book remedies that deficiency, and does so in a wonderful way! The book is topically organized, with each chapter written by a leading scholar on that topic. The list of contributors reads like a "Who's Who" of contemporary Sinology: K.C. Chang on Chinese "pre-history"; David Keightley on the Shang Dynasty; Hsu Cho-yun on the Spring and Autumn Period; Mark Lewis on the Warring States Period; David S. Nivison (see his _The Ways of Confucianism_) on ancient Chinese philosophy, etc. The general reader should be warned that the scholarship here is sometimes a little intimidating. However, careful reading will be well repaid. As you can see, the price is a real problem. Perhaps it will come out in paperback some day, but I wouldn't count on it happening any time soon. If you are seriously interested in ancient China, hock your wedding ring and buy this book! ### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Review *by X***R on 3 August 2022* Une base incontournable pour commencer à comprendre la Chine pré-Qin par les meilleurs spécialistes. ### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Review *by H***N on 15 March 2020* 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. ## Frequently Bought Together - The Cambridge History of Ancient China: From the Origins of Civilization to 221 BC - The Cambridge History of China: Volume 1, The Ch'in and Han Empires, 221 BC–AD 220 --- ## Why Shop on Desertcart? - 🛒 **Trusted by 1.3+ Million Shoppers** — Serving international shoppers since 2016 - 🌍 **Shop Globally** — Access 737+ million products across 21 categories - 💰 **No Hidden Fees** — All customs, duties, and taxes included in the price - 🔄 **15-Day Free Returns** — Hassle-free returns (30 days for PRO members) - 🔒 **Secure Payments** — Trusted payment options with buyer protection - ⭐ **TrustPilot Rated 4.5/5** — Based on 8,000+ happy customer reviews **Shop now:** [https://www.desertcart.vu/products/581835935-the-cambridge-history-of-ancient-china-from-the-origins-civilization](https://www.desertcart.vu/products/581835935-the-cambridge-history-of-ancient-china-from-the-origins-civilization) --- *Product available on Desertcart Vanuatu* *Store origin: VU* *Last updated: 2026-05-14*