The Early Chinese Empires: Qin and Han (History of Imperial China)
Inaugurating a six-volume series on the history of imperial China, this volume holds that characteristics of the first Chinese empire broadly endured for the succeeding 2,000 years. Structuring the subject topically while integrating chronology in a supporting capacity, Lewis explains the geographical advantages that the Qin enjoyed over its competitors in China's Warring States period (481-221 BCE). Curiously, the Qin empire existed for only two decades--long enough, however, to ordain the emperor as semidivine and to establish other features of state, such as bureaucracy. Describing its moving parts of army and administration, Lewis attends to military campaigns of the Qin and its successor dynasty, the Han. Beyond the statecraft, the author delves into the Confucian culture that informed it, presenting extracts from Chinese literature of the period that instructed officials on correct conduct. Confucianism itself was drawn from deeper cultural wells of family relations and cultic worship, which Lewis brings out in glimpses into everyday life provided by archaeological discoveries. Libraries planning to acquire the entire series mustn't omit Lewis' solid foundation.Gilbert TaylorCopyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved