"Twenty-Four Histories" (Simplified Chinese version)

Author: Editorial Department of Zhonghua Book Company
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2005-03-01
Features: A monumental historical work in encyclopedic form, comprising twenty-four historical chronicles written by various dynasties in ancient China. It spans from the legendary Yellow Emperor (2550 BC) to the seventeenth year of the Chongzhen reign of the Ming Dynasty (1644 AD), totaling 3,213 volumes and approximately 40 million words, all written in a unified biographical style. It is the historical classic with the most annotations by Mao Zedong, the great historical figure, who made extensive comments, underlines, and various reading marks. This set is an indispensable complete historical classic for libraries and historical researchers. The "Twenty-Four Histories" is a shining gem in China's cultural heritage, a concentrated embodiment of five thousand years of Chinese civilization, a rare treasure trove of wisdom in human society, and a cultural legacy that the Chinese people take pride in. Written in a unified biographical style, it systematically records the history of various dynasties before the Qing Dynasty in China, serving as a comprehensive record of Chinese civilization before the Qing Dynasty. To promote the excellent traditional culture of our country and facilitate reading and full utilization of the "Twenty-Four Histories" by a broad readership, especially young and middle-aged readers, Zhonghua Book Company, based on the simplified-character annotated edition of the "Twenty-Four Histories," has engaged experts and scholars to simplify the characters according to the "Simplified Chinese Scheme" promulgated by the State Council and the relevant regulations of the National Language Commission, in line with the specific requirements of ancient text.
The original name of the Records of the Grand Historian (Shiji) was The Works of Sima Qian. It was written by Sima Qian. Sima Qian, styled Zichang, was a native of Xiayang (now Hancheng County, Shaanxi Province) in the left commandery of Huaiyang during the Han Dynasty. He was born in the fifth year of Emperor Jing of the Han Dynasty (145 BC) or slightly later. His father, Sima Tan, was knowledgeable in historical affairs and familiar with astronomy and geography. In the early years of Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty (140–135 BC), Sima Tan became the Grand Historian (referred to as the Grand Historian in the Records of the Grand Historian).