History of Chinese Civilization (Volume 1 and 2)

Author: Qiliang
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2001-01-01
Features: The book explores ancient Chinese history, no longer dividing it into "slave society" and "feudal society" periods, but instead dividing five thousand years of civilization into four eras: Primitive, Ancient, Medieval, and Near-Ancient. Moreover, the boundaries between these four periods defy conventional wisdom. The understanding of Chinese history in this book draws its theoretical foundation neither from the previously dominant "economic determinism" in academia nor from Max Weber's "ideology determinism," but from a combination of both. However, there is a certain emphasis on one over the other, with greater weight given to the latter rather than the former. The book favors ancient history over modern history, unlike the usual approach of modern historians who often prioritize modern history over ancient history. Traditional history textbooks devote significant to economic relations and peasant uprisings. While this book does touch on these topics, it does not cover them comprehensively, and its stance and methodology differ greatly. It does not analyze China in isolation but examines Chinese history within the broader context of human history, often drawing comparisons with the histories of other nations.