History of imperial China

A history of the Song dynasty, examining why it has been compared to the European Renaissance and covering the reshaping of tradition and adaptation of Confucian precepts by scholar-officials, whose rationalist approach led to many inventions and dynamic cultural transformations.

Presents a comprehensive study of Chinese history between AD 220 and 589, tracing the changes that occurred after the fall of the Han dynasty.

Examines the key challenges court officials and scholars in the Chinese empire faced as they tried to govern the people in 221 B.C., describing the measures taken to transcend regional differences and unite the people.