编辑推荐From BooklistThis is the first biography of the first emperor of China, Qin Shihuangi. Westerners were largely ignorant of this enigmatic man until the discovery of thousands of terra-cotta and bronze soldiers, administrators, and animals, which were excavated in 1974 adjacent to his tomb. The discovery sparked foreign interest in Qin Shihuangi’s life and reign, and the publication of this biography coincides with the first American exhibition of the terra-cotta figures. Wood, head of the Chinese department at the British Library, reveals the emperor as a rather terrifying figure who willingly caused the deaths of tens of thousands of his subjects in pursuit of his projects, including starting the Great Wall and enforcing political and cultural unity. He combined cunning, ruthlessness, and military skill to unite a vast territory under his control. Yet he was undeniably a brilliant innovator and an effective ruler worthy of a prominent place in Chinese and world history, as this interesting and informative work illustrates. --Jay Freeman Review Praise for China's First Emporer and His Terracotta Warriors ‘Wood’s book is a readable introduction to a ruler who has been hailed both as his country’s founding father and vilified as a ruthless tyrant.’ – Sunday Times ‘Fascinating book’ – Mail on Sunday ‘great knowledge, lightly worn.’ Literary Review ‘wry, concise and authoritative.’ Times Literary Supplement ‘timely, and as sensible as it is concise.’ The Independent ‘Frances Wood presents a different portrait China's First Emporer, offering good reasons why myths of cruelty and megalomania should not be entirely believed.’ Metro ‘Essential reading and a colourful insight into a world in the making.’ – The Good Book Guide ‘a timely digest of English-language scholarship on the subject.’ – The Times ‘Wood’s thorough analysis of the history is heightened by sensuous descriptions that, along with poems, recipes and other quirky details, provide a vivid evocation of life in this period.’ - Waterstones’ Books Quarterly Praise for Did Marco Polo Go toChina? “An authoritative book…likely to rock the foundation of a basic tenet of European civilization.”—The Times (UK) “Profound but elegant scholarship, supported by a multitude of authoritative, perplexed sources, and aided by a dry engaging wit.”— Spectator (UK) “Wonderfully lucid.”— Economist (UK) Praise for No Dogs and Not Many Chinese: A History of Treaty Ports “Vivid, highly enjoyable and witty.”—Daily Mail (UK) “A superb book.”—Evening Standard (UK) “A first-rate account...superbly written and entertaining.”—The Times (UK) |
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