Records of the Grand Historian: Qin Dynasty by Qian Sima (PDF)

Description

Sima Qian (145?-90? BCE) was the first major Chinese historian. His Shiji, or Records of the Grand Historian, documents the history of China and its neighboring countries from the ancient past to his own time. These three volumes cover the Qin and Han dynasties.

User’s Reviews

Editorial Reviews: About the Author Burton Watson is one of the world’s best-known translators from the Chinese and Japanese. His translations include The Lotus Sutra, The Vimalakirti Sutra, Ryokan: Zen Monk-Poet of Japan, Saigyo: Poems of a Mountain Home, and The Columbia Book of Chinese Poetry: From Early Times to the Thirteenth Century, all published by Columbia.

Reviews from Amazon users which were colected at the time this book was published on the website:

⭐I am sure the serious China scholar will find this book interesting but I do not recommend it for the casual reader.I bought this book thinking it was the Asian equivalent of Suetonius’s Twelve Caesars or Herodotus’ Histories, but it reads more like an eastern version of the Anglo-Saxon Chronicles; pages of very dry entries along the lines of “…in the twelfth year, Lord Shu of Wu declared war on Lord Wu of Shu…” and the like (compare and contrast with “..in the twelfth year, King Engelbert of Essex declared war on King Dagobert of Sussex …”). My initial impression was either Sima Qian wasn’t as good of a writer as everyone said he was, or Burton murdered the translation. Then I read the appendix with the letter Sima Quan wrote from prison and I revised upward my opinion of both men. The problem must be Sima Quian was writing an official state history while Suetonius and Herodotus weren’t. Considering what the Emperor did to Sima Qian just because he disagreed with him on a policy matter, I shudder to think what would happen if he wrote something that really offended the Emperor.The only other problem I have with the book is it is over priced. Maybe I am spoiled by too many Penguin Classics, but I think $37 for the whole 3 book series would be more fair rather than for just on volume.

⭐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.

⭐Great translation, but why does it only have excerpts not the whole chapter…Especially for Biographies of the Assassin-retainers, the stories of four assassins before Jing Ke was really important for the development on the entire plot, and they would also show how the roles of assassins have changed throughout many centuries before Qin united China which was really interesting…

⭐I gave this a 4/5 not because the book wasn’t good or it was faulty, or anything like that. It’s just really hard to read. If you don’t know much about this dynasty, or China in general, this isn’t the book for you. Concepts aren’t really elaborated upon to refresh your memory, or give you an insight as to what the person did or who they were. Great material and compact if you know a lot about this topic.

⭐Portrays China’s history during the Warring States period in detail. It was 5 atates vieing for power and control with the state of Qin being the ultimate victor until their demise and the rise of the Han Dynasty.

⭐Actually, Adeline Ma’s masterly memoir was a much more engaging way of presenting some small parts of this book than actually reading the real thing. This translation was very readable.

⭐I read this book after having visited his tomb and the Xian warriors. Am Emperor who unified China, his story is recounted by Sima Qian who searched high and low for records relating to the first Emperor of China. He wrote in about the 2nd century BC and records mostly battles and intrigues, biographies and a final letter regarding his reasons for finishing this history which was begun by his father. I will let you find out why.

⭐I purchased this book for a class I was taking. I can’t stress enough how much of a lifesaver it was to find it here for this price. If I can help it, I will never purchase from the school bookstore again! Such a great price, and I enjoyed reading it.

⭐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.Husband wanted this book, he is happy with it

⭐Promesses tenues en tout point: très satisfaite, merci!Still good as new!

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