Chinese History Stories Volume 2: Stories from the Imperial Era - Hardcover

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1885008384 ISBN 13: 9781885008381

Publisher: Lee & Low Books, 2009

Synopsis

Foolish kings, clever scholars, brave generals, and kindhearted princesses you ll find them all in the rich and colorful history of China, and in the stories told by generation after generation of Chinese people. For thousands of years, the people of China have been enthralled and entertained by stories of real historical figures and events of the past, and have retold the stories until they have become legendary. And the best part? They are all true.

Nineteen of the most important and fascinating tales were translated from their original Chinese for this two-volume set of Chinese Historical Stories. They represent the most entertaining, well-known, and historically significant stories beloved by children and adults alike.

Volume 1 presents stories of kings and queens, generals, battles, and courtiers from the Zhou Dynasty, when China was ruled by kings from 1046 BC to 221 BC. It was the period before the country was unified under a single emperor, when each state schemed to become more powerful than its neighbor, leading to many exciting stories populated by famous historical figures.

Volume 2 is full of tales from the China s Imperial period, when Emperors ruled the unified nation, from 221 BC until 1911 AD. These two thousand years saw many changes from both within the country and from the outside world, and these stories reflect the many facets of Chinese life during times of war and times of prosperity and peace.

Join us on a journey back three thousand years, and dive into a culture and history whose real-life stories are as dazzling and enchanting as any fairy tale.

About this title

From School Library Journal

Grade 5–9—These first two entries in a planned series of 12 volumes offer gripping introductions to China's cultural narratives. From the initial two-page condensation of 3000 years of history to the suggestions to "Learn More" after (often more useful to read before), the well-told stories and the attractively varied illustrations are riveting. Not surprisingly, in texts first published in China (2008), the kings are hardly heroic. Foolishly attached to women or baubles, in need of (and sometimes deceived by) clever counselors, they are feckless if not evil. Volume 1's histories are often violent: the slandered counselor Qu Yuan commits suicide after the state that exiled him is overthrown; Sun Tzu has two concubines executed when the court ladies fail military training; Ximen Bao defeats corruption by drowning the corrupt. More edifying tales depict ministers who put country ahead of personal pride (Zhou Dynasty) and characters who reform (Imperial Era). Volume 2's stories are mostly military. A political agenda infiltrates the retelling of Wencheng's Tibetan marriage and references to Taiwan. Multiple illustrators provide changing art styles and historical allusions, but all are detailed, lively, and colorful. Vocabulary is usually accessible, though the names will likely be a challenge.—Patricia D. Lothrop, St. George's School, Newport, RI
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Edition details

• Publisher: Lee & Low Books
• Publication date: 2009
• ISBN 10: 1885008384
• ISBN 13: 9781885008381
• Binding: Hardcover
• Language: English
• Number of pages: 112
• Editor: Renee Ting