100 Books That Influence China (Revised Edition)

Author: Zhang Xiuping
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-05-01
Features: The "China 100 Series" is a unique read different from general historical works. It takes the figures, events, wars, works, and cultures in Chinese history as its main threads, narrating 100 individuals who contributed to the development and innovation of Chinese history, academic culture, and Sino-foreign relations; 100 events that occurred during the transitions of various dynasties, disputes among academic schools, the rise and fall of religious history, and major historical turning points; 100 wars fought for unity, justice, dominance, or power; 100 classical works that meticulously and systematically record the scientific and cultural history of China over thousands of years; and 100 brilliant academic, literary, folk, and material cultures that stand tall among the world's civilizations, summarizing the essence of Chinese history (before 1919).
Throughout the long course of Chinese history, our ancestors have created countless cultural treasures, directed numerous grand historical dramas, emerged as thousands of creative and diverse figures, and left behind vast and invaluable historical and cultural classics. This "Series" selects from these figures, events, wars, works, and cultures, but limits them to "100" to highlight their special roles and influences in the development of Chinese history. Although this limited "100-item" series is but a drop in the ocean compared to the infinite reality of Chinese history, it represents a new pursuit and attempt to introduce knowledge of Chinese history. Through it, readers can gain insights into the wisdom and charisma of influential political leaders, thinkers, writers, military strategists, diplomats, and scientists in Chinese history; uncover the truths and behind-the-scenes stories of complex historical events; understand the fierce struggles of wars and the essence of the formation of spiritual and cultural history.
As the saying goes, "At the peak of writing, there is no room for tricks." By summarizing thousands of years of Chinese history through five major themes—figures, events, wars, works, and cultures—it is both concise and comprehensive, catering to contemporary readers' interests in reading and studying history. This is the (purpose) of the "China 100 Series."
"100 Books That Influenced China" selectively introduces philosophical and ideological works, historical works, scientific and medical works, geographical and military works, and linguistic works from the pre-Qin period to the late Qing Dynasty. It includes the Confucian classics such as the I Ching, Spring and Autumn Annals, Analects, and Mencius, as well as the representative works of the Hundred Schools of Thought like Guanzi, Laozi, Zhuangzi, Xunzi, and Mozi. It features the traditional official histories—The Twenty-Four Histories—which record China's 2,000-year history, as well as innovative historical works like Tongdian, Shidao, Wenshi Tongyi, and New History. It includes the representative debates on the philosophical front, as well as pioneering works in military, medical, scientific, and geographical fields.
For years, people have sighed over the vastness of Chinese literature and the brevity of life, often toiling until old age without fully mastering the classics. This book carefully selects 100 works, describing their creation, main theoretical claims, and influences, allowing readers to gain insights and reflections with each read.