China: Land of Dragons and Emperors [Hardcover]

Adeline Yen Mah (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 9, 2009

A fascinating book about the history and culture of China.

The history of China spans thousands of years. Journey through China in this fascinating and absorbing book: discover the land of dragons and emperors, and learn about the significance of its ancient dynasties. Countless tools and materials that people have used every day for centuries—paper, gunpowder, cast iron, matches, and silk, to name just a few—were first made in China. Chinese society has progressed through major changes, but lucky numbers, festivals, beliefs about colors, the practic of footbinding, the building of the Great Wall, and the larger-than-life people of China are all integral parts of this ancient civilization and still have an impact on life today.

Bestselling author Adeline Yen Mah explores an extraordinary view of the great story of China over the last two millennia in this nonfiction work, which also includes black-and-white photographs.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 6 Up—Novel-sized, and with a novel's worth of action, romance, betrayal, and irony, this immensely readable account of the entirety of Chinese history is sure to captivate readers. The chapters are broken into one- or two-page sections, with many brief sidebars, making the book accessible and unintimidating. Plentiful illustrations—photographs as well as reproductions—enliven nearly every page. Mah writes in a personal, friendly tone, at one point warning readers to "jump two paragraphs if you don't like violence." Clearly, she is telling stories that she knows well, and she doesn't skimp on the details, which can be gory, tragic, slightly saucy, or merely entertaining. Well-labeled, good-sized maps are provided on a regular basis, as are metric and English measurements and currency conversion where appropriate. This is an authoritative and entertaining account of the plucky orphans, egotistical monarchs, raving beauties, and scheming empresses who made China what it is today.—Paula Willey, Baltimore County Public Library, Towson, MD
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

About the Author

Adeline Yen Mah divides her time between Los Angeles, London, Shanghai, and Hong Kong. You can visit her at www.adelineyenmah.com.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 12 and up
  
• Hardcover: 256 pages
• Publisher: Delacorte Books for Young Readers (June 9, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0385737483
• ISBN-13: 978-0385737487
• Product Dimensions: 7.6 x 5.2 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #738,258 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars China: Land of Dragons and Emperors, February 17, 2010

By 

Y. Su - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: China: Land of Dragons and Emperors (Hardcover)

A story of China from ancient China to present-day China in one book, by Adeline Yen Mah, describes many interesting facts about China. It goes through every important dynasty of ancient China, including the most famous people, capitals, inventions, and extra facts and stories mentioned in the reading for each dynasty. This book shows you many beliefs in China too: like lucky numbers, colors, and even unlucky words. It explains everything up to the communist government of today, where no more emperors rule. China: Land of Dragons and Emperors is a good book for those who want to understand this world from a different perspective.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars China LAnd of Dragons and Emperors, June 11, 2009

By 

Sarah F. Mar - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: China: Land of Dragons and Emperors (Hardcover)

Book Review by Sarah Mar ([e-mail])

If you want just one book that provides not only insight into China's rich history, but also offers a glimpse of its traditions and beliefs (such as why the 2008 Beijing Olympics opened on 8/8/08 at 8 pm), Adeline Mah's "China, Land of Dragons and Emperors" would be it.

This non-fiction book reviews the last 2200 years of China's past. It is a relatively brief, but comprehensive coverage of a long and diverse history. After introducing the First Emperor, who unified China and is mostly known for building the Great Wall as well as the over 7,000 Terra Cotta Warriors in his enormous tomb, six major dynasties are highlighted, each with a noteworthy and descriptive heading:

The Founding Dynasty (Han), The Golden Dynasty (Tang), The Divided Dynasty (Song), The Mongol Dynasty (Yuan), The Eunuchs' Dynasty (Ming), and The Crippled Dynasty (Qing). The abdication of the last emperor in 1912 ended this dynastic system which endured for over 2,000 years.

Best-selling author, Mah, concisely reviews each period with salient clarity. Each episode with an opening remarks, to give reader a preview of the era that is about to be learned. I especially like the remarks from 1912 to Today's capital City: Beijing

"After WWII... the most powerful man was Mao Zedong who unified the country but caused millions of deaths and great suffering. After Mao, China opens its doors, and transformed itself into a modern nation" This illustrates how succinctly the essence of just one time-period can be characterized.

This book is an easy read and a unique resource for anyone interested in China's rich history but daunted by its lengthy past.

4.0 out of 5 stars china primer, September 14, 2011

By 

Rayzie - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: China: Land of Dragons and Emperors (Hardcover)

Enjoyed this concise overview of China. Better than a travel guide, it gives the reader an elementary understanding of the people and events that have shaped China's hixtory. In short sections, one can learn a great deal. and can pick it up and lay it down without having to go back and refresh one's memory. Highly recvommend it.