Great Little Books. Essentials of Historical Records

Author: Chai Degeng
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2002-01-01
Features: Shiji Ju Yao (Essentials of Historical Records) has a strict format, which is a prominent feature of the book and has been praised by many readers and professionals. In the Preface, the author explicitly states the writing format, which is to "selectively introduce historical records by their nature, divided into the following four key points: (1) Author and era of the work; (2) Sources of historical materials and compilation methods; (3) Strengths, weaknesses, and their status in historiography; (4) Annotations and editions. Shiji Ju Yao is mainly compiled based on the manuscript of the course on Introduction to Key Chinese Historical Records taught by the author at Jiangsu Normal University and some mimeographed lecture notes. Its content includes: Genealogical-episodic style; Annalistic style; Chronicles style; Political treatises, etc. Shiji Ju Yao is the lecture notes manuscript of Master Chai, a compilation of his many years of insights in historical studies, and cannot be compared with ordinary writings. The book starts with the introduction to historical records, then extends to many aspects of historiography, and further involves various issues of historical evaluation. Here, the study of history and historiography are inextricably combined. The integration of historical records, historiography, and history allows the author's arguments to connect past and present, move freely, and provide readers with broad perspectives and great benefits."