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Beautiful edition taking the reader through the origins and history of the Chinese and Asian peoples, highlighting the roots of modern fiction in history, myth and fable.The events of China's history and origins of its society are inextricably linked to its varied mythology and folklore, reflecting the warring dynasties and the vast landscapes of the country, where distant mountains, and long, winding rivers dominated the sight-lines of ancient peoples. A brand new, highly readable history by Scott Crawford,
Chinese Ancient Origins surveys the events, cultural practices, political developments, beliefs, key individuals and roots of ancient China, from the earliest known prehistory through the collapse of the Qin dynasty (206 BCE). This span of history allows the reader to follow a clear line from the origin of humanity in China to the incipient forms of organization, then onward to feudalism and to the founding of the imperial era – a form of government persisting into the twentieth century. An ideal companion to Flame Tree's
Chinese Myths & Legends.
Flame Tree Collector's Editions present the foundations of speculative fiction: authors, myths, tales and history without which the imaginative literature of the twentieth century would not exist, bringing the best, most influential and most fascinating works into a striking and collectable library. Each book features a new Introduction and a Glossary of Terms or lists of Ancient Leaders.
About the author
Scott Forbes Crawford studied Mandarin in Beijing, lived for many years in Beijing and Taipei and has written extensively about Chinese and Asian history. He is author of The Han-Xiongnu War 133 BC–89 AD and the historical novel Silk Road Centurion, and is co-author of the historical fantasy, The Phoenix and the Firebird.Yijie Zhuang is Professor of Chinese Archaeology and Geoarchaeology at UCL Institute of Archaeology. His research focus includes agricultural ecologies and landscape transformations in ancient China. He is author of 60 journal articles, several books and the historical fiction 24 Hours Ancient China: A Day in the Life of People Who Lived There.Jake Jackson has written, edited and contributed to over 20 books on mythology and folklore. Related works include studies of Babylonian creation myths, the philosophy of time and William Blake's use of mythology in his visionary literature.
