Chinese Ancient Origins: Stories of People & Civilization

Beautiful edition taking the reader through the origins and history of the Chinese and Asian peoples, highlighting the roots of modern fiction in history, myth and fable.

A brand new, highly readable history by Scott Crawford, Chinese Ancient Origins surveys the events, cultural practices, political developments, beliefs, key individuals and roots of ancient China, from the earliest known prehistory through the collapse of the Qin dynasty (206 BCE). The book takes an accessible approach into the roots of Chinese civilization, from the earliest history to spotlighting periods often glossed over by popular histories. This span of history allows the reader to follow a clear line from the origin of humanity in China to the incipient forms of organization, then onward to feudalism and to the founding of the imperial era – a form of government persisting into the twentieth century. An ideal companion to Flame Tree's Chinese Myths & Legends.

Flame Tree Collector's Editions present the foundations of speculative fiction: authors, myths, tales and history without which the imaginative literature of the twentieth century would not exist, bringing the best, most influential and most fascinating works into a striking and collectable library. Each book features a new Introduction and a Glossary of Terms or lists of Ancient Leaders.

Scott Forbes Crawford (Author) has been fascinated by China since studying Mandarin at a Beijing university, and has written extensively about Chinese and Asian history. His book The Han-Xiongnu War 133 BC–89 AD and numerous articles explore China’s past with a storyteller’s craft, combining narrative drive with deep research and cultural insight. Other works include a historical novel, Silk Road Centurion and a historical fantasy, The Phoenix and the Firebird (co-authored with wife Alexis Kossiakoff). After many years in Beijing and Taipei, he now lives in Japan with his wife and daughter.

Yijie Zhuang (Foreword) is Professor of Chinese Archaeology and Geoarchaeology at UCL Institute of Archaeology. His research focuses on water histories, agricultural ecologies and landscape transformations in ancient China. He has published over 60 academic journal articles and several books. He also enjoys writing for a broader audience, including his historical fiction 24 Hours Ancient China: A Day in the Life of People Who Lived There.