Approximately 3 million B.C. - 219 A.D. - Prehistoric to Eastern Han Dynasty - The Story of Chinese Civilization (Volume 1)

Author: Li Mo
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-01-01
Features: The Story of Chinese Civilization is a comprehensive and illustrated book that records the history of Chinese civilization. The publishers devoted years of effort, gathering the strengths of experts, scholars, editors, and academic advisors to explore and uncover the brilliant light of Chinese civilization in the vast river of history. The publication of this book embodies the dedication of the compilers and the wisdom of the academic advisors. Especially, Mr. Li Xueqin personally wrote the preface, adding even greater weight to this book. The history of Chinese civilization is filled with glory and suffering, achievements and setbacks. Its history is everywhere, shaping the thoughts and emotions of the Chinese people today. The modern China and Chinese people are products of the history of Chinese civilization, an extension of its history, and also a part of it. The river of Chinese civilization flows to this day. Chinese civilization is one of the greatest civilizations in human history, a major component in the development of human civilization. It is rich, profound, glorious, and vast, and its role and leadership in human civilization are well-known. During the early stages of human civilization, Chinese civilization was one of the four ancient civilizations and one of the cradles of culture on Earth. In the early period of human civilization, it became the pillar of civilization in the East. Between 200 BC and 200 AD, the Han Empire and the Roman Empire gripped the world with their iron hands. When Europe entered the Middle Ages, Chinese civilization became the main leader of human civilization, ruling East Asia and spreading its influence worldwide. In the modern era, Chinese civilization faced its own pressures and the bullying of the West, but the history of the struggles and spirit of the Chinese people are an indispensable chapter in the history of human civilization. Over five thousand years, Chinese civilization has contributed to humanity from the philosopher Confucius to the Four Great Inventions in science and technology, from the poetry of the Tang and Song dynasties to the Great Wall and the Grand Canal, from the Hundred Schools of Thought to the Neo-Confucianism of the Song and Ming dynasties, from the bronze wares of the Shang and Zhou dynasties to the literature of the Ming and Qing dynasties. It has also contributed from the Five Hegemons and Seven Strong States to the Three Kingdoms period, from the reign of Wen and Jing to the Ten Great Military Campaigns. The history of Chinese civilization is splendid and colorful, shining brightly in the long river of human civilization. Chinese civilization is also one of the most unique civilizations in human history. No other civilization has been as enduring or as unified as Chinese civilization. Other civilizations around the world have intermingled and their creators are all related to the Caucasoid race; they are sister civilizations. In human history, only Chinese civilization is unique. Its creators are the Chinese people on Chinese soil, with no connection to any other people. Its culture is unified and consistent, capable of surviving without relying on any other civilization. However, Chinese civilization is not closed off; it accepts other cultures and takes on its responsibilities to humanity.
As humanity enters the new century, China's social and economic development has attracted worldwide attention. People's estimates of the future political and economic structure of the world are centered around East Asia and the Pacific, with China as the focal point. Economic takeoff is only one aspect of contemporary China, and the construction of spiritual civilization is even more urgent. If China is to consciously develop Chinese civilization and consciously give its development a global significance, it must develop a strong spiritual culture. Only then can the development of Chinese civilization enter a new stage and achieve comprehensive modernization for China and Chinese civilization. The development of China's spiritual culture is rooted in the great tradition of Chinese civilization.
Since the modern era, under the impact of Western culture, there have been numerous emotional and intense debates about the value of Chinese culture. The slogan of the May Fourth Movement to overthrow the Confucian family shop had the significance of breaking through feudal constraints and had an undeniable positive impact on the development of Chinese culture, differing greatly from cultural nihilism. Cultural nihilists deny traditional Chinese culture and advocate for a complete Westernization under the banner of modernization; while retrogressionism indulges in the antiques of Chinese culture, leading it into a quagmire of anti-progression and anti-science. However, the development of history has surpassed all these arguments. The modern Chinese history that produced these views over the past hundred years has come to an end. History demands that China develop and lead the world in progress. Westernization and retrogressionism are both outdated. History now demands that the world move beyond the West, and China can take on the fate of the world. The reality of China and the history of the world both show that China's mission lies in its forward development, not in regression.
Chinese civilization has moved beyond the age of confusion. Our generation is in a great and challenging historical stage. To summarize history and look to the future—this is the meaning and mission of The Story of Chinese Civilization. In creating this book, we strive to summarize and review the entirety of Chinese civilization, opening up a new chapter in both content and form. In terms of content and structure, it is both profound and extensive, combining rigorous and accurate academic value with lively and readable accessibility. Over two thousand pages, we have included all aspects of Chinese civilization, making it a comprehensive and systematic academic work that is also accessible to the general public. It can serve as a large-scale reference book for researching the components of Chinese civilization, as well as a popular read for browsing.
Since the early 1990s, we have been thinking about the history and reality of Chinese civilization and gradually formed the idea of compiling The Story of Chinese Civilization. At the outset of this grand cultural project, we invited authoritative scholars such as Li Xueqin, Luo Zhewen, Yu Weichao, Zeng Xiantong, and Peng Qingyun to serve as academic advisors. They thoroughly discussed the plan and reviewed numerous drafts. We also recruited dozens of social science scholars, university teachers, graduate students, and editorial staff from Guangzhou and Hong Kong to write the chapters. Through the creation of this book, we have deeply felt the breadth and depth of Chinese civilization, as well as its inherent flaws. Chinese civilization has had glorious periods and difficult times, great achievements and shortcomings. If Chinese civilization can learn from its own experiences and lessons, it will grow stronger and develop healthily. Through this book, we have also deeply felt the mission and responsibilities of the publishing industry. We hope this book will be loved by a wide readership and fulfill its intended role. To contribute to the reflection, progress, and rise of Chinese civilization.