Shiji (Complete 10 Volumes)

Author: Sima Qian (Western Han Dynasty)
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-06-01
Features: The Records of the Grand Historian is undoubtedly one of the most outstanding representatives among the Twenty-Four Histories and is a must-read classic for studying and understanding Chinese history.
[Content Summary] The Records of the Grand Historian was written by Sima Qian, a great historian and litterateur of the Han Dynasty in China. It records more than 3,000 years of historical changes, from the legendary Xuanyuan to the Taichu period of Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty. It covers various aspects such as philosophy, politics, economy, literature, aesthetics, astronomy, geography, talent, ethics, and even medicine, almost encompassing all the content of human thought at that time. It is an encyclopedic masterpiece. The Records of the Grand Historian is the crystallization of Sima Qian's life. He spent about 15 years writing it in a concentrated manner. If the preparation of materials is included, it took more than 20 years. The history recorded in The Records of the Grand Historian begins with the legendary Yellow Emperor and ends in the Taichu period of Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty, covering approximately 3,000 years. Its style is primarily biographical, often organized around individuals or families, with strong narrative elements, outstanding writing, and serving as a pioneer and model for later biographical literature, deeply influencing its successors. In terms of thought, due to his personal experiences, Sima Qian's reflections on "humanity" surpassed his time, truly achieving a "human-centered" perspective, which was rare.
The Records of the Grand Historian was written by Sima Qian, a great historian and litterateur of the Han Dynasty in China. It records more than 3,000 years of historical changes, from the legendary Xuanyuan to the Taichu period of Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty. It covers various aspects such as philosophy, politics, economy, literature, aesthetics, astronomy, geography, talent, ethics, and even medicine, almost encompassing all the content of human thought at that time. It is an encyclopedic masterpiece. The Records of the Grand Historian is the crystallization of Sima Qian's life. He spent about 15 years writing it in a concentrated manner. If the preparation of materials is included, it took more than 20 years. The history recorded in The Records of the Grand Historian begins with the legendary Yellow Emperor and ends in the Taichu period of Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty, covering approximately 3,000 years. Its style is primarily biographical, often organized around individuals or families, with strong narrative elements, outstanding writing, and serving as a pioneer and model for later biographical literature, deeply influencing its successors. In terms of thought, due to his personal experiences, Sima Qian's reflections on "humanity" surpassed his time, truly achieving a "human-centered" perspective, which was rare.