100 Books That Influence China

Author: Zhang Xiuping, Editor-in-Chief
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2004-05-01
Features: The "China 100 Series" is a unique read distinct from general historical works. It takes the figures, events, wars, works, and cultures of Chinese history as its main threads, narrating 100 individuals who have influenced the course of Chinese history through their contributions to invention, academic culture, and Sino-foreign relations; 100 events that occurred during the transitions of various dynasties, conflicts among academic schools, the rise and fall of religions, and major historical turning points; 100 wars fought for unity, justice, hegemony, or power; 100 classic works that meticulously and systematically record China's millennia-old scientific and cultural history; and 100 brilliant academic, literary, folk, and material cultures that stand tall among the world's civilizations.
Throughout the long river of Chinese history, our ancestors have created countless cultural treasures, directed thousands of grand historical dramas, emerged as thousands of creative and diverse figures, and left behind vast and boundless historical and cultural classics. Yet this "Series" selects only "100" of these figures, events, wars, works, and cultures, merely 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 boundless 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; and appreciate the profoundness of summarizing thousands of years of Chinese history through five major themes—figures, events, wars, works, and cultures.
"Where the art reaches its peak, there is no room for tricks." By condensing thousands of years of Chinese history into these five categories, the series is both concise and comprehensive, catering to contemporary readers' interests in reading and understanding history. This is the very purpose of the "China 100 Series."
The 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. Among them are the Confucian classics such as the I Ching, Spring and Autumn Annals, The Analects, and Mencius, as well as the representative works of the Hundred Schools of Thought like Guanzi, Laozi, Zhuangzi, Xunzi, and Mozi. There are also the traditional official histories—The Twenty-Four Histories—which record China's 2,000-year history, alongside innovative historical works such as Tongdian, Shidao, Wenshi Tongyi, and New History. There are the representative debates between the two sides of the philosophical battlefield, 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 yet unable to fully grasp the depth of history. This book carefully selects and presents 100 books, outlining their creation, main theoretical claims, and influences, allowing readers to gain insights and reflections with each piece.