The First Emperor

Selections from the Historical Records

Sima Qian, Raymond Dawson, K. E. Brashier (Associate Professor of Religion (Chinese) and Humanities (Chinese), Reed College)

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English

Worlds Classics
01 October 2009

Literature, Poetry & Criticism; Literary essays; Asian history; Ancient history: to c 500 CE

Series: Oxford World's Classics

'The following year Qin unified all under Heaven and the title of August Emperor was immediately adopted.'

The short-lived Qin dynasty unified China in 221 BC and created an imperial legacy that lasted until 1911. The extraordinary story of the First Emperor, founder of the dynasty, is told in the Historical Records of Sima Qian, the Grand Historiographer and the most famous Chinese historian. He describes the Emperor's birth and the assassination attempt on his life, as well as the political and often brutal events that led to the founding of the dynasty and its aftermath.

Sima Qian recounts the building of the Great Wall, the 'burning of the books', and the construction of the First Emperor's magnificent tomb, a tomb now world famous since the discovery of the terracotta warriors in 1974. Sima Qian's love of anecdote ensures that his history is never dull, and Raymond Dawson's fluent translation captures his lively and vivid style. Chronicling recent archaeological developments and questioning Sima Qian's biases, K. E. Brashier's

preface highlights the importance of the Grand Historiographer's account and Dawson's translation in the twenty-first century.

ABOUT THE SERIES: For over 100 years Oxford World's Classics has made available the widest range of literature from around the globe. Each affordable volume reflects Oxford's commitment to scholarship, providing the most accurate text plus a wealth of other valuable features, including expert introductions by leading authorities, helpful notes to clarify the text, up-to-date bibliographies for further study, and much more.

By: Sima Qian, K. E. Brashier (Associate Professor of Religion (Chinese) and Humanities (Chinese), Reed College)
Translated by: Raymond Dawson
Imprint: Worlds Classics
Country of Publication: United Kingdom
Dimensions: Height: 196mm, Width: 131mm, Spine: 13mm
Weight: 157g
ISBN: 9780199574391
ISBN 10: 0199574391
Series: Oxford World's Classics
Pages: 208
Publication Date: 01 October 2009
Audience: General/trade , ELT Advanced
Format: Paperback
Publisher's Status: Active

Reviews for The First Emperor: Selections from the Historical Records

...vivid, near contemporary account... CH, The Independent Its vast scope can guide you to places they never reach - such as third-century BC China, with imperial historian Sima Qian, Boyd Tonkin, The Independent