China's Golden Age: Everyday Life in the Tang Dynasty

by Charles Benn

Book Overview

The Tang Dynasty (618-907), traditionally regarded as the golden age of China, was a time of patricians and intellectuals, Buddhist monks and Taoist priests, poetry and music, song and dance. In China's Golden Age: Everyday Life in the Tang Dynasty, Charles Benn paints a vivid picture of the lifestyle behind the grandeur of the Tang culture.
All aspects of day-to-day life are presented, including crime, entertainment, fashion, marriage, food,...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0195176650
• ISBN13: 9780195176650
• Release Date: October 2004
• Publisher: Oxford University Press
• Length: 217 Pages
• Weight: 1.14 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 6.1" x 9.3"

Customer Reviews

Great History Book, Quite Enjoyable

If ancient Chinese history is more in your interest, I suggest reading this book. Benn does a thorough investigation of Tang Dynasty life, encompassing religion, household life, and the aristocracy. This is a must read if you find this era of Chinese history fascinating... I enjoyed his section about how the Daoist and Buddhist were constantly trying to lure people into their churches, and also how positions within the Buddhist church could be bought- and people think Catholics were bad!

Easy, informative reading

A light, easy to read rendition of Tang history. Focuses on the everyday aspects of Tang society. The subject matter is neatly presented in chapters labeled Society; Cities and Urban Life; Clothes and Hygiene; Food and Feasts; or Leisure and Entertainment. I appreciated the book's drawings, especially of Tang hairstyles and clothing, which heavily influenced Japanese traditional clothing thereafter. Overall, a peek into Tang commoners' daily life is a refreshing change from usual history material. Unfortunately, I have to deduct 1 star here because the author, for unknown reason, kept referring to sixth Tang emperor Xuanzong by his anglicized moniker "Illustrious August", which casts a fortune cookie feel over an otherwise enjoyable read.

China's Golden Age: Everyday Life in the Tang Dynasty

A very informative publication of life in the Tang dynasty. Well written (although sometimes meandering) and an easy read.