Great Chinese Emperors: Tales of Wise and Benevolent Rule, by Asiapac Books. 50.

[rachelmanija]

This illustrated history of Chinese emperors is rather hectic and hard to follow if you’re as ignorant of Chinese history as I am, as it’s a 180 page book which begins with the invention of fire and concludes with the Qing Dynasty. Nevertheless, it’s an entertaining introduction to a vast history

Comments

[holyschist]

This sounds awesome!

Looks fascinating.

[dakiwiboid]

I ought to read it, even though I know perfectly well I'll keep thinking, "Oh, yeah! That's where Barry Hughart got his idea for ____ in the Master Li and Number 10 Ox books!"

His character The Ancestress is so clearly based on Wu Zetian that I always have trouble reading about her without imagining his characters sneaking around her court. The woman did have immense gall--one of the names that's listed as one by which she was "often referred" is Tian Hou, the name of the Great Mother Sky Goddess, Empress of Heaven.