A history of China., [3d ed. rev. and enl.]

"A History of China" by Wolfram Eberhard is an extensive historical review compiled near the close of the twentieth century. It delivers an inclusive summary of China's diverse history, spotlighting the cultural, social, and governmental powers that molded the country’s growth from ancient days to the modern era. It seeks to challenge established beliefs by using archaeological findings and up-to-date research. The beginning of the book prepares the reader for an in-depth study of China's prehistoric times and original histories. Eberhard starts by talking about the weaknesses of old stories and how modern archeology has reformed our knowledge of the early Chinese civilization. He introduces the Peking Man and different prehistoric societies that lived in China, such as the Yang-shao and Lung-shan societies, explaining their lifestyles, advances in farming, and unique societal organizations. The writer stresses how important it is to study these basic cultures to understand how dynasties came to power and the difficult social unity that would mark later Chinese civilization.