Cart
Free US shipping over $10
Proud to be B-Corp

The First Emperor Sima Qian

The First Emperor By Sima Qian

The First Emperor by Sima Qian


$7.46
Condition - Very Good
Only 1 left

Summary

Sima Qian tells the story of the First Emperor, founder of the Qin dynasty, in whose reign the Great Wall was built and whose tomb was guarded by the famous terracotta warriors excavated in 1974. His account details the ruthless exercise of power but also the creation of an empire that endured until 1911.

Faster Shipping

Get this product faster from our US warehouse

The First Emperor Summary

The First Emperor: Selections from the Historical Records by Sima Qian

'The following year Qin unified all under Heaven and the title of August Emperor was immediately adopted.' The short-lived Qin dynasty unified China in 221 BC and created an imperial legacy that lasted until 1911. The extraordinary story of the First Emperor, founder of the dynasty, is told in the Historical Records of Sima Qian, the Grand Historiographer and the most famous Chinese historian. He describes the Emperor's birth and the assassination attempt on his life, as well as the political and often brutal events that led to the founding of the dynasty and its aftermath. Sima Qian recounts the building of the Great Wall, the 'burning of the books', and the construction of the First Emperor's magnificent tomb, a tomb now world famous since the discovery of the terracotta warriors in 1974. Sima Qian's love of anecdote ensures that his history is never dull, and Raymond Dawson's fluent translation captures his lively and vivid style. Chronicling recent archaeological developments and questioning Sima Qian's biases, K. E. Brashier's preface highlights the importance of the Grand Historiographer's account and Dawson's translation in the twenty-first century. ABOUT THE SERIES: For over 100 years Oxford World's Classics has made available the widest range of literature from around the globe. Each affordable volume reflects Oxford's commitment to scholarship, providing the most accurate text plus a wealth of other valuable features, including expert introductions by leading authorities, helpful notes to clarify the text, up-to-date bibliographies for further study, and much more.

The First Emperor Reviews

...vivid, near contemporary account... * CH, The Independent *
Its vast scope can guide you to places they never reach - such as third-century BC China, with imperial historian Sima Qian, * Boyd Tonkin, The Independent *

About Sima Qian

The late Raymond Dawson was Emeritus Fellow of Wadham College, Oxford and author of a number of publications on China, including Confucius (Past Master, 1982) and the OWC edition of Confucius' Analects.

Table of Contents

The Birth of the First Emperor ; An Assassination Attempt ; The Biography of the Chief Minister of Qin ; The Builder of the Great Wall ; The Annals of Qin ; The Treatises ; The Story of the Rebel Xiang Yu ; The Story of the Rebel Chen Sheng

Additional information

CIN0199574391VG
9780199574391
0199574391
The First Emperor: Selections from the Historical Records by Sima Qian
Used - Very Good
Paperback
Oxford University Press
2009-08-27
208
N/A
Book picture is for illustrative purposes only, actual binding, cover or edition may vary.
This is a used book - there is no escaping the fact it has been read by someone else and it will show signs of wear and previous use. Overall we expect it to be in very good condition, but if you are not entirely satisfied please get in touch with us

Customer Reviews - The First Emperor