First published in 1966, Imperial China sets out to explain China's past histories to non-specialists. Too often the West has misunderstood the East. Michael Loewe sets out here to dispel some of these misconceptions.
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First published in 1966, Imperial China sets out to explain China's past histories to non-specialists. Too often the West has misunderstood the East. Michael Loewe sets out here to dispel some of these misconceptions.
Read Less
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Fair, good. 23 cm, 325, illus., maps, front DJ flap price clipped, substantial highlighting throughout text. The four centuries of the Han dynasty broke the ground for the chief political, economic, cultural, and social structures that were to characterize civilization.
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Fine. Trade paperback (US). Glued binding. 336 p. Routledge Revivals. In Stock. 100% Money Back Guarantee. Brand New, Perfect Condition, allow 4-14 business days for standard shipping. To Alaska, Hawaii, U.S. protectorate, P.O. box, and APO/FPO addresses allow 4-28 business days for Standard shipping. No expedited shipping. All orders placed with expedited shipping will be cancelled. Over 3, 000, 000 happy customers.
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New. Trade paperback (US). Glued binding. 336 p. Routledge Revivals. In Stock. 100% Money Back Guarantee. Brand New, Perfect Condition, allow 4-14 business days for standard shipping. To Alaska, Hawaii, U.S. protectorate, P.O. box, and APO/FPO addresses allow 4-28 business days for Standard shipping. No expedited shipping. All orders placed with expedited shipping will be cancelled. Over 3, 000, 000 happy customers.
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PLEASE NOTE, WE DO NOT SHIP TO DENMARK. New Book. Shipped from UK in 4 to 14 days. Established seller since 2000. Please note we cannot offer an expedited shipping service from the UK.
Loewe provided a valuable example of how to tackle the History of China from a different perspective. Students are used to read Chinese History through the "standardised" manuals: Organised by dynastic terms. He built his work on a conceptual vision. He proposed three large moments: Pre-Imperial (before the 221 B.C.); imperial (from 221 B.C. to 1911 A.D.); finally post-imperial (since 1911). His view was focused on some cultural factors which made China emerge as a diplomatic country. Infact, I found interesting the stress on literature used in the political context; especially the role of the "Standard" Histories utilosed to corroborate, deliberately, the virtues of the Emperors and his government. Moreover, the reader can find several more interesting hints such as the thesis about the "unsuccesful" scholars who tried to write a sober and real chronicle; about the nature of the relationship with neighbours countries and the reaction of the people to the new, unofficial cultural elements. Few other parts of the work I found pretty descriptive. I found it a non conventional introduction of Chinese History not really suitable for a beginners of Chinese studies, who might find it rather difficult to understand; by contrast it is surely offers valuable insights for those who already have a basic knowledge of China, they can use it as a source of inspiration. Some scholars have found it disappointing due to a lack of logical order or for some missing parts; especially the lack of Mongolian period. On the other hand, Loewe probably had a particular reader-type in mind which address his work to; this may emerge in the final part when he treated the modern history. In conclusion, despite a certain general unsatisfied perception among scholars, I found it worth of further readings.