Historical Records with Annotations and Explanations

Author: Han Zhaoqi (Compiler)
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2005-05-01
Features: The Annotated Records of the Grand Historian is divided into nine major volumes, totaling approximately 5.5 million words, which is ten times the length of the original Records of the Grand Historian. Based on the "Three Commentaries on the Records of the Grand Historian" and the Collected Annotations and Examinations of the Records of the Grand Historian," this work extensively gathers insights and innovates, showcasing distinct features compared to previous annotations of the Records of the Grand Historian throughout history. The Annotated Records of the Grand Historian boasts six significant strengths:
1. The work is approximately 5.8 million words, while the original Records of the Grand Historian is over 500,000 words. The new annotations are ten times the length of the original, demonstrating unprecedented detail and extensive research.
2. The book corrects over 200 errors in the wording and punctuation of the currently circulated editions (including the collated text published by Zhonghua Book Company) of the Records of the Grand Historian.
3. Grounded in traditional interpretations, it fully incorporates new research findings over the past century. It refutes inaccuracies in traditional explanations and proposes insightful new interpretations for previously ambiguous passages.
4. It employs the "dual-evidence method" advocated by Mr. Wang Guowei for annotating the Records of the Grand Historian. The work emphasizes the use of documents and artifacts newly discovered or unearthed in China over the past century to examine and verify the historical facts narrated in the Records of the Grand Historian.
5. It collects and cites comments on historical figures and events from ancient and modern political leaders, military strategists, and thinkers, enriching the annotations with solid and vivid perspectives.
6. The annotations place great importance on the literary qualities of the Records of the Grand Historian, extensively gathering and citing relevant materials to substantiate its literary merit.
With these strengths, The Annotated Records of the Grand Historian demonstrates profound academic rigor, broad perspectives, precise insights, and a literary language that complements the work's literary qualities. It stands as a new classic in the annotation of the Records of the Grand Historian, marking a milestone in the 21st century, following the "Three Commentaries" of the pre-Tang era.
The Annotated Records of the Grand Historian is not only thorough in annotations and rich in materials but also visually engaging. It includes 35 topographic maps of historical periods and regions covered in the Records of the Grand Historian, as well as over 130 images related to historical sites, archaeological discoveries, and unearthed artifacts. Additionally, the book provides pinyin pronunciations for difficult and uncommon characters, modern names for historical locations, corresponding Gregorian dates for ancient imperial reign periods and lunar calendar entries, and approximate modern equivalents for ancient units of measurement. These features are highly relevant and urgently needed for contemporary readers.