Shiji

Author: Zhong Lei
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-04-01
Features: The Records of the Grand Historian (Shiji) is the first comprehensive historical record in Chinese history written in the style of biographies and genealogies. It chronicles the lineage of successive dynasties of emperors from the legendary Yellow Emperor to Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty, as well as the rise and fall of states and the major historical events, political, economic, military, cultural, and social figures of the Xia, Shang, Zhou, Spring and Autumn, and Warring States periods. The book features many vivid and realistic stories filled with wisdom, showcasing the richness and diversity of Chinese history and the endless ingenuity of its figures. It is believed that children will benefit greatly from reading it. The Records of the Grand Historian has been annotated since the Eastern Han Dynasty. The earliest complete ancient annotations include three: Pei Yin's Comprehensive Explanations of the Records of the Grand Historian from the Southern Dynasties period, Sima Zhen's Hidden Meanings of the Records of the Grand Historian from the Tang Dynasty, and Zhang Shujie's Correct Explanations of the Records of the Grand Historian from the Tang Dynasty. The study and research of The Records of the Grand Historian have been an important topic for scholars throughout the generations. In the Qing Dynasty, Zhang Wenhu made significant contributions to the organization of The Records of the Grand Historian. The Comprehensive Annotations and Examinations of the Records of the Grand Historian by Takizawa Hisashi of Japan also holds considerable importance. Works such as Liang Yusheng's Doubts about the Records of the Grand Historian and Chen Zhi's New Evidence of the Records of the Grand Historian are also significant research contributions.