The First Emperor: Selections from the Historical Records (Oxford World's Classics) Reissue Edition

This is an intelligent and cohesive selection of eight chapters from the "Historical Records" which comprise 130 chapters. This English version tells the story of the "First Emperor" of Qin who unified China after several hundred years of strife among feudal lords. Once one get used to the spelling and pronunciation of the names, the narratives make gripping reading. This book is considered both as literature and history to the Chinese scholars and educated readers. It is obvious that it is not written in the way modern history books are done. Some narratives are not unlike the annals by Tacitus.When one starts the book, one should read both the preface and the introduction carefully. In addition, I have found the letter from the author to his friend Ren An very illuminating to the situation and frame of mind of the Grand historiographer when he penned his weighty volumes. Attached is a site for an abridged version of it: [...]

Great history of the Qin foundation of the system that slowly evolved into modern China. But as with Roman histories of the same period (Tacitus for example) one does get a bit bogged down with the vast array of the people and what they did. Pity the "X-Ray" botton doesn't function for historical books; would be really helpful for these ancient historians.

Great book and received promptly.

For those readers who don't want an epic historical treatise clogging up their bookshelf, there are several good reasons to get this selection of highlights instead. First, there is a preface by K. E. Brashier pointing out Sima Qian's incredible depth of personality (which you should be able to get from the text anyway, but whatever). Second, it provides a rather overlooked alternative translation. Third, it is a good selection of chapters for what it is; you will get to read several of the major biographies.Of course you will finish this except wanting to know the rest of the story. What happened after the Han overthrew the Qin? How good was the First Emperor of Han at throwing homecoming parties? Is the human pig proof that there is no God? How much money will Emperor Wu pay fake prophets and psychics before he realizes he's a dope? When a legislator flees a conspiracy against his life but gets ensnared by his own laws, does the Chinese language need to invent a word for "irony"? To hear these stories and more, you will end up buying all three volumes of Burton Watson's translation. That's just the way this is going to work out, so you should really skip directly to the Watson and save your money.

Fascinating story. I learned a lot about China's past and their first Emperor. I recommend this book if you love history, military strategies.

Simple to read. Tells the amazing story well.

Surprisingly entertaining.

I read it because I wanted to read Sima Qian's record.Thank you Messrs. Brashier and Dawson.

Thanks

I like the book for its well-written chronology and dialogue between the figures who were instrumental in the Qin dynasty that which lead to the Han.If it were longer and had more contents such as how the Qin army and legalist government was set and how life continued for the average peasant or soldier then that'd be perfect.