The Cambridge History of China, Volume 1: The Ch'in and Han Empires, 221 B.C.-A.D. 220

This volume begins the historical coverage of The Cambridge History of China with the establishment of the Ch‘in empire in 221 BC and ends with the abdication of the last Han emperor in AD 220. Spanning four centuries, this period witnessed major evolutionary changes in almost every aspect of China’s development, being particularly notable for the emergence and growth of a centralized administration and imperial government. Owing to their pioneer achievements and the heritage that they left for later empires, these dynasties have rightly been regarded as a formative influence throughout Chinese history. Important archaeological discoveries of recent years have made a new approach possible for many aspects of the period. Leading historians from Asia, Europe, and America have contributed chapters that convey a realistic impression of significant political, economic, intellectual, religious, and social developments, and of the contacts that the Chinese made with other peoples at this time. Like the other volumes in the series, volume 1 summarizes the information given in primary sources in the light of the most recent critical scholarship. As the book is intended for the general reader as well as the specialist, technical details are given in both Chinese terms and English equivalents. References lead to primary sources and their translations and to secondary writings in European languages as well as Chinese and Japanese. "The Cambridge History of China is the largest and most comprehensive history of China in the English language. Planned in the 1960s by the late, distinguished China scholar Professor John K. Fairbank of Harvard, and Denis Twitchett, Professor Emeritus of Princeton, the series covers the grand scale of Chinese history from the 3rd century BC, to the death of Mao Tse-tung. Consisting of fifteen volumes (two of which, Volumes 5 and 9 are to be published in two books), the history embodies both existing scholarship and extensive original research into hitherto neglected subjects and periods. The contributors, all specialists from the international community of Sinologists, cover the main developments in political, social, economic and intellectual life of China in their respective periods. Collectively they present the major events in a long history that encompasses both a very old civilisation and a great modern power. Written not only for students and scholars, but with the general reader in mind, the volumes are designed to be read continuously, or as works of reference. No knowledge of Chinese is necessary; for readers with Chinese, proper names and terms are identified with their characters in the glossary, and full references to Chinese, Japanese, and other works are given in the bibliographies. Numerous maps illustrate the texts. The published volumes have constituted essential reading in Chinese history. See also, The Cambridge History of Ancient China, Michael Loewe and Edward Shaughnessy, eds., a companion to this series covering the period 1500 to 221 BC. General Editors: John K. Fairbank, Denis Twitchett." -- Provided by publisher International Scholars And Sinologists Discuss Culture, Economic Growth, Social Change, Political Processes, And Foreign Influences In China Since The Earliest Pre-dynastic Period. V. 1. The Chʻin And Han Empires, 221 B.c.-a.d. 220 -- V. 3, Pt. 1. Sui And Tʻang China, 589-906 -- V. 5, Pt. 1. The Sung Dynasty And Its Precursors, 907-1279 - V. 5, Pt. 2. Sung China, 960-1279 -- V. 6. Alien Regimes And Border States, 907-1368 -- V. 7-8. The Ming Dynasty, 1368-1644, Pt. 1-2 -- V. 9. The Ch'ing Dynasty To 1800, Pt. 1-2 -- V. 10-11. Late Chʻing, 1800-1911, Pt. 1-2 -- V. 12-13. Republican China, 1912-1949, Pt. 1-2 -- V. 14. The People's Republic, Pt. 1 -- V. 15. The People's Republic, Pt. 2: Revolutions Within The Chinese Revolution, 1966-1982. General Editors, Denis Twitchett And John K. Fairbank. Vol. 1. Edited By Denis Twitchett And Michael Loewe; Vol. 5 Edited By Denis Twitchett And Paul Jakov Smith; Vol. 6 Edited By Herbert Franke And Denis Twitchett; Vol. 7-8 Edited By Frederick W. Mote And Denis Twitchett; V. 9. Edited By Willard J. Peterson; V. 11 Edited By John F. Fairbank And Kwang-ching Liu; V. 13 Edited By John K. Fairbank And Albert Feuerwerker; V. 14-15 Edited By Roderick Macfarquhar And John K. Fairbank. Includes Bibliographies And Indexes. Ch'in long existed as a small state or principality and then, very briefly, as a major dynasty and empire.