The Establishment of the Han Empire and Imperial China (Greenwood Guides to Historic Events of the Ancient World)
Adult/High School-The establishment of the Han Empire, solidifying the Qin unification of the warring states, is of paramount importance in the history of China, and arguably, in world history. This excellent introduction to that dynastic period devotes separate chapters to the political, institutional, technological, and social ramifications of the era. The final chapter is one of the most interesting and important: in an interpretive essay the writers consider the cultural and political consequences of the Han Empire in East Asia, make comparisons (especially to Rome and Persia), and look ahead to post-Han China. A few pages suggest a reevaluation of the First Emperor, arguing that he might have been unfairly vilified by Han apologists. There are 20 biographies, 14 primary-source documents, several time lines, a brief glossary, a bibliography (including film, Internet, and curriculum guides), and a mere 16 black-and-white artifact photos or line drawings. Some information is repeated, but given the complexity of the material, this is rather a bonus. The writing is engaging and not pedantic. This volume, very much focused on the Western or Former Han (the Xin and later Han are dealt with in two sentences only), is a promising eastward expansion of this series on the ancient world.-Patricia D. Lothrop, St. George's School, Newport, RICopyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.