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bucketoffish's review
4.0
I got this book from the shop at the Chicago Field Museum, and it's been really fun to read. The book covers a very condensed version of China's history, mostly through the lens of archeological finds. As such, it talks about ancient history in more detail, and barely mentions modern China at all. The level of information here is definitely introductory, but what's there is clearly written and engaging to read, with tons of museum-quality photographs. I think this book is perfect for anybody who wants an introduction to the topic.
annewithabook's review
3.0
I'm a big fan of Chinese history, so I was pleased to find this short, concise book about the history of China with beautiful pictures. Saying that, I've seen a lot better choice for organization than this book. The first two chapters were great, focusing on prehistoric China and the rise of empires (mostly Qin and Han dynasties). However, after that all chronology was lost to random topics the book snapped on (like religion), giving us small details as opposed to a general overview. I still enjoyed this book, but when it comes to books on the history of China, this one wouldn't be one of my top ones.
amdame1's review
3.0
This book starts with prehistoric China and covers up to modern times (briefly). It is by no means comprehensive, but does give an overview of the dynasties that shaped China over the millennia. There are color photos throughout, including pictures of artifacts from archeological sites and museums as well as artistic renderings, paintings, and several maps. There is also a timeline, source notes, selected bibliography, image credits, and index. At the end of each chapter there is a short section asking the reader to imagine something about that time period and then further highlights things such as pottery, silkworms, etc. It's a beautiful book and a good overview. Useful for ancient civ curriculum. Some of the fonts used for the captions are too faint and are difficult to read.
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