Glimpses of Ancient China

These twenty one letters are an excellent window to Ancient China. They give a glimpse of the remarkable history and civilization of China from 2000 BC to 1200 AD. Starting with a detailed description of the land and the people the book narrates the major events which happened in the reigns of the Xia Shang Zhou Qin Sui Tang Song Liao Western Xia Jin and the other major dynasties. It not only talks of the wars conflicts and events of these times but also gives the reader a remarkable insight into the great achievements in arts painting literature religion and the sciences of ancient China. From the teachings of Confucius the invention of paper by Cai Lun the invention of gunpowder by Sun Simao to the beautiful grottoes and paintings by Chinese artists the reader is led through a fascinating journey of early China. He learns about the terracotta warriors of the Qin dynasty unearthed at Lintong Shaanxi province which has now been declared a world heritage site. He reads about the various systems of governance and laws in ancient China; and the great constructions undertaken by various Emperors including the Great Wall of China. The book eloquently bring out the magnificence of the Tang dynasty (618-907 AD) which made Chang’an (now Xi’an) the most prosperous city of the East rivalling Rome of the Roman empire. Dynastic charts and maps give the reader greater information. The style is lucid and makes for easy reading. The large number of illustrations makes the book very interesting. Altogether a informative and enjoyable book.