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Records of the Grand Historian: Han Dynasty II Paperback – April 15, 1993

by Qian Sima (Author), Burton Watson (Translator)
4.0 4.0 out of 5 stars 29 ratings
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This second volume of the history of the Han dynasty consists of chapters dealing principally with the reign of Emperor Wu, one of the most energetic and strong-willed of China's Rulers. Here the historian is chronicling events he has witnessed and writing of the men he personally knows or has known. In Nagano Hozan's (1783-1837) words, He makes us see in our minds the character of the men of the time, and this is why he is a great historian.:
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  1. Print length
    505 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Columbia University Press
  4. Publication date
    April 15, 1993
  5. Dimensions
    9.01 x 6.05 x 1.3 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    0231081677
  7. ISBN-13
    978-0231081672
  8. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

Review

Burton Watson...possesses all the qualities which distinguish a master translator. As a craftsman and as a poet, he has inspired and challenged two generations. ― Asian Affairs

About the Author

Burton Watson is a renowned translator of Chinese and Japanese literature and an Adjunct Professor of Chinese and Japanese at Columbia University. His recent translations include Ryokan: Zen-Monk Poet of Japan, Saigyo: Poems of a Mountain Home, and The Columbia Book of Chinese Poetry. He lives in Japan.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Columbia University Press; 3rd edition (April 15, 1993)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 505 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0231081677
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0231081672
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.7 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 9.01 x 6.05 x 1.3 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.0 4.0 out of 5 stars 29 ratings

About the author

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Qian Sima

Qian Sima

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Customer reviews

4 out of 5 stars
4 out of 5
29 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Ken Jacobsen
5.0 out of 5 stars A Golden Gem from Chinese History
Reviewed in the United States on March 5, 2016
Verified Purchase
Great gem of a book about a piece of history us Westerners know too little about.
How can anyone understand China without this book?
One person found this helpful
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Jim Bowls
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent
Reviewed in the United States on February 5, 2014
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This book came in more of a "Like New" condition than the "Good" I had decided on when I ordered it.
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Miguel G.
1.0 out of 5 stars Kindle version is terrible
Reviewed in the United States on January 31, 2019
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No page numbers, can't show more than one page, terrible overall. Would give it a 0/5 stars if I could
2 people found this helpful
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Richard
5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
Reviewed in the United States on February 1, 2015
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A book masterly translated!
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Mary Van Nortwick
5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
Reviewed in the United States on December 13, 2014
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Very good book
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Matt
5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
Reviewed in the United States on January 29, 2015
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Great stuff.
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Darth Maciek
5.0 out of 5 stars This is THE source of knowledge about Western Han Dynasty - and also a VERY good read, albeit not always easy
Reviewed in the United States on March 19, 2014
In this volume we can read the last chapters (107 to 129) of the monumental history chronicles by Sima Qian (145-86 BC), possibly the greatest, the most gifted and the most courageous of great Chinese historians who wrote the Twenty Four Histories (or Standard Histories) describing Chinese imperial history from Qin to Ming.

Virtually all those chapters are related to the long and eventful reign of Han Wudi (born in 156, became emperor in 141, exerced real power 135-87BC), one of the greatest and most controversial of Chinese emperors. He humbled and tamed the Xiongnu nomads who were until then pillaging China and humiliating its rulers and by his conquests he gave to China more or less its present borders (with the exception of Tibet). He also followed into steps of First Emperor by achieving the creation of an efficient, omnipresent, unified imperial administration and reducing to almost nothing local autonomous powers of vassal kings and marquises. However, those achievements came with a high price and Han Wudi also committed some of most outrageous injustices and caused some of the most heartbreaking tragedies in whole Chinese history - for those reasons he died cursed by his subjects and is still remembered as one of the most heartless tyrants who ever ruled the country.

Perfectly translated by great Burton Watson, those chapters from "Records of the Grand Historian" tell the story of great achievements and great tragedies. We are told in detail about the great conquests, like those of Min Yue, Nan Yue, Chaoxian and Dian - and also about a fiasco disguised into a victory (the chapter about Dayuan). We are also told about the main ministers and generals serving Han Wudi, like Li Guang, Wei Qing, Li Guangli, the incredibly brave and tragic hero Li Ling and especially Huo Qubing, possibly the greatest Chinese cavalry commander ever. We can also read about emperor's cousins, kings of Huainan and Hengshan whom Han Wudi distrusted, feared and hated - and ultimately had them destroyed.

It takes some time and effort and at least two reading of every chapter to actually build up a good understanding of the chronology of events and links between different chapters and characters - but once the whole picture emerges, it is a gretly impressive thing. Those were exceptional times, with great achievements and immense tragedies intimately mixed and this book says it almost all - but not everything. Han Wudi didn't trust his Grand Historian and had his whole history carefully examined, page by page, before approving it - but he also ordered total destruction of some chapters, including a detailed biography of himself. This is the reason why there is no biography of emperor Wu himself in this book describing his life and achievements - we can only have glimpses into his life in biographies of others...

This is a precious book and reading it was an exciting adventure and a great intellectual voyage. Recommended to all amateurs of history and good books in general. Enjoy!
3 people found this helpful
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Tom Smith
5.0 out of 5 stars The real thing
Reviewed in the United States on May 22, 2000
Good, readable translation of the authentic source material on ancient China. Nearly complete text (skips a few boring parts). It's worth it for Sima Qian (aka Ssu'ma Chien)'s story alone: imperial historian who offends the emperor but chooses not to do the honorable thing (aka commit suicide) so he can finish his book. That's perserverance.
10 people found this helpful
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Linda Sanders
5.0 out of 5 stars Husband likes it
Reviewed in Canada on January 16, 2021
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Bought this book for husband as requested, he is pleased
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Roberto Parolini
5.0 out of 5 stars traduzione inglese dal cinese
Reviewed in Italy on December 21, 2014
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spedizione - ottimo

oggetto - semplicemente splendido, ottima edizione, traduzione piacevole e acutamente commentata dove opportuno. Un complemento indispensabile alla conoscenza non solo della Cina ma della storia dell'umanita'

raccomandato - moltissimo

limiti - nessuno
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