Chronicle of the Chinese Emperors: The Reign-by-reign Record of the Rulers of Imperial China

摘要

The Chinese Empire is a fascinating and vast subject to cover. Ann Paludan has created an insightful and tantalisingly brief overview of 2,132 years of Imperial Rule through a series of brief biographies and fascinating special features.rnWith biographies of all 157 Emperors (though I am somewhat confused at this number for I understood there to be a in the region of 400) Paludan provides a succinct and readable history that would serve as a useful starting point for researchers, students, those undertaking school projects and anyone with a personal interest in the subject. It is only a marginal reference text but it is certainly useful if one considers using it as a quick reference guide. This edition is a paperback reprint ten years after the original hardback, whilst I have not been able to explore the possibility of any textual amendments none are mentioned so I have assumed that it is a straight reprint. This is likely to be because of the resurgence of and continued interest in Imperial China, particularly with the recent First Emperor exhibition in London.