Imperial China (DK Classic History)

This exceptionally beautiful and perfectly sized book from DK is a superb overview of one the greatest empires in world history. A visually immersive, completely educational, and highly accessible book filled with China's amazingly rich, complex, and vast history and fascinating culture. A great source of information on an immense subject that is not as commonly known as it could be. Very impressive and highly recommended. I also highly recommend Tuttle's Chinese Art: A Guide To Motifs and Visual Imagery by Patricia Bjaaland Welch, an excellent encyclopedic book that compliments this one very well.

I bought this book because I was looking to learn more about ancient China beyond the basics.As expected, the book itself is very sturdy. I was also pleasantly surprised at the high quality content in this book. Instead of just discussing the major historical events in China, it also went deeper into the lesser known events. The books includes everything from prehistory up to the Qing dynasty (the last dynasty). It also gives in depth descriptions and explanations of ancient Chinese culture and traditions. The book is also full of high quality, colorful images that are very detailed.Some contents of the book include:The silk roadAncient Chinese MedicineLesser known dynasties (e.g. Xi Xia Dynasty, Xin Dynasty)Information about all emperors of a dynasty (as far as I can tell)Information on religion in ChinaCourt systems of ancient China.This is a very detailed book on ancient China. It covers everything I can think of. It's a wonderful choice for anyone who would like to learn more about Chinese culture or history.EDITThere is one fault that I have found. This book does not contain any maps. If you would like a book with visuals of where dynasties or cities were located and how big they were, this would not be the book for you. It does, however, contain descriptions of location in text.

This book draws you right into the mystery and wonder of Chinese civilization. It's addictive. Get it for yourself, get it for your class. It's beautiful cover and incredible displays beg to be picked up and poured over.

This is a great book packed with information but not boring since there are beautiful pictures for the introduced treasures. This is the book I will read over and over again. I also leave it on the coffee table as decoration.

Excellent quality photos to fully illustrate this book's panoramic history of the Chinese civilization. Concise and well presented text explains all the mayor events in Chinas history. It's culture, politics, geography and religious traditions are presented in chronological order to showcase the development of Chinese culture to the present day.Beautiful presentation!!!

This was a great book, I learned a lot from it and a ton of history that I knew nothing about! I showed this book to all of my children and they had so much fun learning and reading!I was a girl in the village doing alrightThen I became a princess overnightNow I gotta figure out how to do it rightSo much to learn and seeUp in the castle with my new familyIn a school that's just for royaltyA whole enchanted world is waiting for meI'm so excited to be(Sofia the First)I'm finding out what being royal's all about(Sofia the First)Making my way it's an adventure everyday(Sofia)It's gonna be my time(Sofia)To show them all that I'mSofia the First!

I would recommend this book for anyone or as a gift to anyone who is interested in the ancient history of China. The series sort of implies these books are geared towards kids but I don’t see that at all. I think they are very expansive and would be of interest to anyone who likes the subject matter. They seem well researched and the writing is very readable. Visually they show a lot of artifacts as well as a visual look at the geography of China in the context of its history.It then breaks down the different periods of ancient China’s history based on the different ruling classes that led them.I started by getting the volume on Ancient Egypt and will be ordering the one on Ancient Rome when it comes out. I thought the Egyptian one was done well enough that I decided to order this one as well even though I’m not as interested or knowledgeable in the subject matter. I have found it engaging so far and would say it’s also a well done volume.As I said before I think it would make a nice gift to anyone with an interest in Chinese history or as a reference volume for someone studying Chinese history.It's also nicely bound and visually well presented so I think it functions well as a coffee table book Also

You make it so difficult to critique an item/packaging!! Beautiful book 3-1/2 pounds,1-1/2” thick shipped in 3-1/8” box with NO bubble wrap or crushed paper filler. Just bounced around this bigger box with no buffer. Usually there’s an excess of cushioning, but for an object like this, nothing! It arrived perfectly, no crushed corners. Please be more careful!!

As an avid enthusiast of Chinese history, I recently delved into DK's tome on Imperial China, and I must say, it's an absolute treasure trove. With its lavish illustrations, and an engaging narrative, this book provides an immersive journey through the dynasties that shaped one of the world's most enduring civilizations.From the early Xia and Shang dynasties to the golden age of the Tang and Song, every era is meticulously explored, offering insights into the politics, culture, and daily life of ancient China.One of the highlights of DK's work is its emphasis on visual storytelling. The stunning photographs, intricate artwork, and annotated diagrams not only enhance understanding but also evoke the grandeur and complexity of Imperial China. Whether it's the awe-inspiring architecture of the Forbidden City or the intricate details of a Ming Dynasty vase, the visuals truly bring history to life.Furthermore, DK's book is refreshingly accessible, making it suitable for both casual readers and seasoned scholars alike. The writing is clear and concise, avoiding unnecessary jargon while still maintaining academic rigor. Additionally, the inclusion of timelines, glossaries, and index make it easy to navigate and reference.In conclusion, DK's exploration of Imperial Chinese history is a must-have for anyone seeking a comprehensive understanding of this fascinating period. Whether you're a student, a history buff, or simply curious about the ancient world, this book will enrich your knowledge and ignite your imagination. Highly recommended.

Best book I ever read about the history of China. Wonderful content with stunning pictures. In my opinion, the only thing that could make it even better would be a few maps showing the borders of the Chinese empire and its kingdoms thought history.

Not all key historical artifacts or paintings were shown. As a result, some timeline events were not verified. Also, the book ended at the time of the puppet Emperor Puyi. There were no pictures of Westerners in Peking at that time. So some events were maybe deceptive.

What a wonderful book! It explains much of chinese history, folklore etc. A multitude of artifacts pictures with descriptions. I have been thoroughly enjoying this book. It might seem a little pricey but, is worth it.

Tudo ótimo!