Han Shu -- Basic Collection of Chinese Family Classics

Author: Ma Yushan, Hu Xulin (Commentary)
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2004-10-01
Features: Ban Gu's Book of Han, although revised according to his father's comments to correct the shortcomings of Records of the Grand Historian, introduced the concept of dynastic history, which was his original innovation. He preserved the literature while upholding the purpose of glorifying the achievements of his own dynasty. This innovation had a profound impact. The scope of his work was broader than Records of the Grand Historian: it encompassed heaven, earth, gods, spirits, human affairs, politics, morality, art, and literature. — Zhu Ziqing, Classics Talk
Records of the Grand Historian was written by a single individual, while Book of Han was compiled by four. The tables and treatises were completed by Cao Dajia (Ban Zhao, Ban Gu's sister, married to Cao Shishu, with "Jia" meaning "aunt") and Ma Xu; the chronicles and biographies were based on Ban Biao's Post-Chronicler from Emperor Zhao of Han to Emperor Ping of Han. From Emperor Gaozu to Emperor Wu, more text was borrowed from Records of the Grand Historian. Ban Gu edited and refined the old text, adhering to the principle of "reporting without creating." However, his revisions were carefully curated, not hastily written. — Zhu Ziqing, Classics Talk
Ban Gu (32–92 CE), styled Mengjian, studied the style of Records of the Grand Historian and wrote China's first dynastic history, Book of Han. Book of Han is China's first chronicle-style dynastic history. It is one of the most important historical works of the Eastern Han Dynasty (25–220 CE), written by the Eastern Han historian Ban Gu. It begins with Emperor Gaozu of Han (Liu Bang) and ends with Emperor Ping of Han and Wang Mang, covering over two hundred years of the Western Han Dynasty, making it China's first dynastic history. Ban Gu's father, Ban Biao, wrote sixty-five chapters of Post-Chronicler after Records of the Grand Historian. After Ban Biao's death, Ban Gu inherited his father's work and completed Book of Han, comprising one hundred chapters. The book was completed by Ban Biao, Ban Gu, Ban Zhao, and Ma Xu, with its grandeur and literary elegance, accurate accounts, and impartial perspective earning it the same acclaim as Records of the Grand Historian, Post-Han History, and Records of the Three Kingdoms, collectively known as the "Four Great Histories." It has been revered by historians throughout history. The continuity of Chinese culture over five thousand years is reflected in the unbroken series of "Twenty-Four Histories," with each dynasty's official history following the style of Book of Han, demonstrating its significance. Countless allusions and scholarly works originate from it, and without reading Book of Han, one cannot appreciate its charm.
Book of Han comprises one hundred and twenty chapters. Compared to Post-Han History, it is also known as Early Han History. It primarily records the history from the first year of Emperor Gaozu of Han (206 BCE) to the fourth year of Emperor Di of Wang Mang (23 CE), covering two hundred and thirty years, making it China's first chronicle-style dynastic history and another important historical work after Records of the Grand Historian in ancient China. This monumental historical work includes twelve "chronicles" detailing the deeds of Western Han emperors; seventy "biographies" on various figures, ethnic minorities, and foreign affairs; ten "treatises" on institutions, astronomy, geography, and social phenomena; and eight "tables." The entire work spans over 800,000 words, with its historical materials being rich and detailed. The part before Emperor Wu of Han was largely based on Records of the Grand Historian. Book of Han largely followed the style of Records of the Grand Historian, merging the "houses" (shijia) into "biographies" (zhuan) and changing "books" (shu) into "treatises" (zhi), dividing the work into chronicles, tables, treatises, and biographies. The ten treatises of Book of Han are larger in scale than the eight books of Records of the Grand Historian, with four additional treatises on Criminal Law, Five Elements, Geography, and Literature that were absent in Records of the Grand Historian. Book of Han drew on the strengths of many previous historical works, building on Records of the Grand Historian and Post-Chronicler, resulting in a narrative that was both "profound in language and detailed in events," thorough and well-organized. However, Ban Gu, who relied on the powerful clan of Dou Xian and pursued fame and wealth, sang the praises of the ruling elite in Book of Han, catering to the will of the rulers and denying certain achievements of Records of the Grand Historian in some aspects.