Zizhi Tongjian (Volumes 1-20)

Author: Sima Guang
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 1995-07-01
Features: Related Recommendations / Purchase Link: Zizhi Tongjian (Complete 4 Volumes)
Mao Zedong once told people that he had read the 3 million-character history book Zizhi Tongjian 17 times! The Qing Dynasty scholar Wang Mingsheng also said: "This is a book that the world cannot do without, and a book that every scholar must read." By reading Zizhi Tongjian, one can observe the rise and fall of history and draw lessons from the experience of governing a country—this is still the meaning that Emperor Shenzong of Song said: "By reviewing the past, one can gain insight into governance." As can be seen, Zizhi Tongjian is indeed a book that lives up to its name.
Zizhi Tongjian is not only a great historical work but also a great literary work. In this monumental work, the author employs keen observation and unique artistic techniques to vividly depict the grand social life scenes and successfully create numerous lifelike historical figures. Over the course of a thousand years, the academic and social value of Zizhi Tongjian has been recognized by an increasing number of people. Since the founding of the People's Republic of China, especially since the reform and opening-up, various versions of Zizhi Tongjian have emerged, but high-quality ones are rare, truly "few and far between." Meanwhile, a significant number of versions are carelessly produced or take excerpts out of context, or provide irresponsible annotations, misleading readers.
Zizhi Tongjian is a collective historical work, edited by Sima Guang as the chief compiler, with Liu Shu, Liu Ban, and Fan Zuyu as associate compilers. Sima Guang's son, Sima Kang, was responsible for reviewing the text. Originally, Sima Guang intended to name the work Tongzhi, but after Emperor Shenzong ascended the throne, he renamed it Zizhi Tongjian, meaning "By reviewing the past, one can gain insight into governance." Zizhi Tongjian covers history from the 23rd year of King Weilie of Zhou (400 BC) to the 6th year of Xingde in the Later Zhou Dynasty (959 AD), a total of 1,362 years, divided into 294 volumes and over 3 million characters. Additionally, there are 30 volumes of the Catalogue and 30 volumes of the Discussions of Discrepancies. It took 19 years to compile this monumental work. Sima Guang compiled Zizhi Tongjian to consolidate the feudal regime of his time, which determined that the content of the book was primarily political history. He classified historical monarchs into five categories based on their abilities: founders, successors, decline, revivals, and chaotic downfall. Zizhi Tongjian exposes and condemns certain historical events to serve as a warning for future rulers.
Zizhi Tongjian also contains many valuable historical records on military, economic, cultural, academic thought, and historiography. The materials collected in Zizhi Tongjian are extremely rich; it is estimated that the book cites over 300 sources. Zizhi Tongjian is one of China's most important chronicles, not only providing governance experience for the feudal ruling class but also holding high historical value. The entire work is meticulously organized, with clear logical connections, and the language is extremely concise. These aspects have had a profound influence on later historiography.
Zizhi Tongjian is a collective historical work, edited by Sima Guang as the chief compiler, with Liu Shu, Liu Ban, and Fan Zuyu as associate compilers. Sima Guang's son, Sima Kang, was responsible for reviewing the text. It covers history from the 23rd year of King Weilie of Zhou (400 BC) to the 6th year of Xingde in the Later Zhou Dynasty (959 AD), a total of 1,362 years, divided into 294 volumes and over 3 million characters. Additionally, there are 30 volumes of the Catalogue and 30 volumes of the Discussions of Discrepancies. Zizhi Tongjian is one of China's most important chronicles, not only providing governance experience for the feudal ruling class but also holding high historical value, valued by political figures, military strategists, literary figures, and historians throughout the ages.