Xuan paper wire-bound edition of Zizhi Tongjian

Author: None
Publisher: Tianjin Ancient Books Press
Publishing Time: None
Features: The largest-scale and most exquisite luxury Xuan paper collectible edition in the history of printed bound books, the "Zizhi Tongjian" is a compilatory chronological history of Chinese history. Compiled by Sima Guang, a renowned minister and historian of the Northern Song Dynasty, the entire work comprises 294 volumes. As a exclusively for the emperor's reading and consultation, it most prominent features are "detail" and "accuracy." For major historical events, the author Sima Guang elaborated on their causes and effects, daring not to simplify them even slightly to deceive the emperor, which is his "detail." As for historical events, figures, time, and the nature of things, the author strove for truth and accuracy, daring not to misrepresent them even in the slightest to deceive the emperor, which is his "accuracy."
With its two key features of "detail" and "accuracy," the "Zizhi Tongjian" preserves 1,362 years of important historical facts and significant figures in Chinese history, making it one of the reasons why this book has been valued, revered, read, quoted, and collected by ancient, modern, and future generations. Since its completion, emperors, ministers, literati, influential figures, and even ordinary people have continuously studied the "Zizhi Tongjian." It has become a textbook for those in government, revered as the golden rule and the supreme authority. Throughout history, countless emperors, wise ministers, scholars, and modern political figures, thinkers, and scholars have commented on and annotated the "Zizhi Tongjian," making it a must-have treasure among classic texts.
Mao Zedong left seventeen annotations on the "Zizhi Tongjian" and held extremely high praise for Sima Guang and the work. "Sima Guang was truly perseverance and determination incarnate. He completed this great undertaking during his prime years from age 48 to over 60." -- Mao Zedong
Sima Guang (1019–1086), styled Junshi, was a native of Xia County, Shan Prefecture (now Xia County, Shanxi Province), an important author and organizer of the "Zizhi Tongjian." In addition to the "Tongjian," he authored over 30 other works, including "Tongjian Mu," "Tongjian Kaoyi," "Jigulu," and "Sima Wenzheng Gong Chuanji Jiaojian."