China's First Emperor and His Terracotta Warriors

by Frances Wood

Book Overview

Unifier or destroyer, law-maker or tyrant? China's First Emperor (258-210 BC) has been the subject of debate for over 2,000 years. He gave us the name by which China is known in the West and, by his unification or elimination of six states, he created imperial China. He stressed the rule of law but suppressed all opposition, burning books and burying scholars alive. His military achievements are reflected in the astonishing terracotta soldiers--a...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1250029759
• ISBN13: 9781250029751
• Release Date: June 2008
• Publisher: St. Martins Press-3PL
• Length: 224 Pages
• Weight: 0.60 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 5.4" x 8.4"

Customer Reviews

A Place to Start

If you want to learn about Chinese history here is a short easy way to start. You won't learn much about the Terra Cotta Warriors as promised in the subtitle, but the essentials about the First Emperor are here. There is an overview of his rise to power, his achievements and the modern interpretations of his legacy. Issues, such as Confucianism vs. Daoism, wall building and did he or didn't he burn books are discussed. There are lots of illustrations. They are placed alongside of the material they illuminate. The last chapter about how the symbolism of the First Emperor figures in more recent Chinese politics is interesting, but doesn't quite fit. It seems as though it was an essay used for some other purpose edited to fit this one.

Poor title

Yes, this is about China's First Emperor and very interesting. But, only mentions the Terracotta Warriors in passing. I was looking for lots more info on the warriors.