A Plain Continuation of Zizhi Tongjian (Complete 12 Volumes)

Author: Shen Zhihua
Publisher:
Publish Date: 1993-08-01
Features: A Continuation of Zizhi Tongjian succeeds Zizhi Tongjian, covering from the first year of Emperor Taizu of Song (960) to the twenty-eighth year of Emperor Zhizheng of Yuan (1368) in a chronological narrative style, recording the history of Song, Liao, Jin, and Yuan (including other various powers and ethnic governments within its borders at the time), spanning four hundred and nine years. Regarding the content and structure of the book, Qing scholar Feng Jiwu introduced in the preface of the first edition: "Taking the official histories of the four dynasties of Song, Liao, Jin, and Yuan as the foundation, it incorporates A Continuation of Zizhi Tongjian Changbian (A Comprehensive Record of the Later Zhou), The History of the Khitan State, and more than a hundred other works, including various scholarly treatises and collected essays. Following the example of Zizhi Tongjian Kaoyi (Annotations on Zizhi Tongjian), it includes Kaoyi (Annotations) and annotates the main text according to Hu Shi’s San Sheng Fen Zhu (Three-Part Annotations)." Overall, it draws from a wide range of sources, is well-organized, clear in structure, detailed in narration, and provides a comprehensive view of four hundred years of history from Song, Liao, Jin, and Yuan in a single volume. It is highly recommended for a broad readership.