Customer Reviews

Discoveries: Search for Ancient China (Discoveries (Harry Abrams))

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This book is difficult for me to review. Normally, I rate a book as to how well it conveys its subject matter and how useful/enjoyable that subject is. I bought this book expecting a brief lesson on Chinese history. If that were the book's purpose then it would have only one star. However, this book is more about the history, not of China itself, but of Chinese archaeology. Perhaps this book would receive five stars, except the subject was new to me. So not knowing what to make of this book, I gave it three stars. My point to writing this review is to prevent others from repeating my mistake, so they can buy this book for what it is without being mislead by the title.

The book begins with China's traditional link to her past, then goes to the early field research of the late 19th century. Major discoveries and changes to archaeology are then described up to the present day. The bulk of the book covers the finds and their implications.

To conclude, this book is only for the Sinologist. The archaeological references are best understood by someone with a background in Chinese history. Especially for the historian who wishes to know more about how the history was discovered.

Exactly what I was looking for. I had purchased 2 small reproduction terracotta Chinese warriors at a local flowershop for a gift and simply wanted to know more about their history. When I found this little book, my curiosity was more than quenched. It provided me with a wealth of information, not only about my 2 little terracotta figurines, but about the emperor's whole army. I discovered that more than 6000 life-size terracotta warriors in battle formation were unearthed...and, these were were only a part of an enormous find. (The emperor's death was in 210 BC...the discovery was in the late 1970's). The book is packed with high quality color pictures and bring to life these ancient dynasties. Now, I would love to travel to those sites to see these discoveries in real life.

Yes, I was very pleased with the book and have purchased 2 more of the warriors (for myself) and I am now purchasing a 2nd book to give along with the earlier warriors I purchased as a gift.

this is a great whirlwind introduction to ancient chinese cultural practices. But the best part is the pictures - hundreds in full color! It's really more of a picture book than anything else, but a great compliment to other, more in depth studies of ancient china

This tiny, heavily illustrated book is packed with info. and curated like a mini-museum of early Chinese history. It's good as a handbag companion for tours of China, to amplify the context of museums or sites. The writing is tiny, and curves around pictures all over the pages. It gives a tour around the country, but partly in the order of when things were discovered. Little features on major archaeologists and appendix-like excerpts from their writings give a flavor of the evolution in thinking about China's prehistory.

We are going on a travel/cruise to China in a few days and the book got us excited on our upcoming trip.