Shiji

Author: Sima Qian
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-07-01
Features: There are many existing versions of Shiji, including the widely accepted Qing Wuying Dian edition, the Shiji Jieji Suoyin Zhengyi Heke Ben published by Jinling Book Bureau during the Tongzhi era, and the Southern Song Huanshanfu edition in the Bonnuo Ben Ershi Si Shi reproduced by the Commercial Press. The currently most acclaimed edition is the collated version published by Zhonghua Book Company, which uses the Jinling Book Bureau Heke Ben as its working basis. This basis is a fine edition. However, in terms of the earliest existing carved edition, it is the Southern Song Huanshanfu edition. This is a better edition and also the working basis used in this book. Shiji, written by Sima Qian of the Han Dynasty, is China's greatest historical masterpiece in two thousand years, and many chapters within it are renowned literary masterpieces. Because Sima Qian possessed rich practical experience, relatively progressive historical perspectives, and a high level of literary cultivation, he was able to select historical materials, create a framework, portray characters, and realistically reflect the multifaceted historical facts from pre-Qin times and the diverse functions of various social classes in his contemporary society, thus writing this comprehensive and rich "comprehensive history."