A fascinating and personal insight into China's history, from the terracotta soldiers to Chairman Mao, from the Silk Road to the invention of gunpowder, written by an author famous around the world.
Do you know why the opening time for the Beijing Olympics was set at 8.08 pm on 8 August 2008? Or what are the secrets guarded by the silent terracotta army inside the First Chinese Emperor's tomb?
This book will introduce you to the most famous people and events in China during the last 2200 years. Meet the emperor who loved a woman too much, and the admiral whose fleet was so big it blocked out the sun. Discover the meaning of dragons, and why you should never give a Chinese man a green hat. Be amazed at China's many inventions, from silk, paper, printing and porcelain to crossbows, stirrups, matches, cast iron, steel and gunpowder.
If knowledge acquired from history is the truest education, then this book is the best present I can give you.'
Adeline Yen Mah
Adeline Yen Mah is the best-selling author of Falling Leaves, Chinese Cinderella, and Chinese Cinderella and the Secret Dragon Society.
Author bio:
Adeline Yen Mah's memoir, Falling Leaves, was published in 1997 and became an international bestseller. Her other books include A Thousand Pieces of Gold, Watching the Tree and two children's books, Chinese Cinderella and Chinese Cinderella and the Secret Dragon Society.
Category:
Children's non-fiction
ISBN:
9781741754674
Table Of Contents:
Contents
Introduction
Enter the dragon
symbol of imperial power, as lucky as the number nine
First Emperor of All China
a terracotta army, book bonfires, a travelling corpse and the start of the Great Wall
Founding Dynasty: the Han
early trade along the Silk Road, a cruel Empress, a heavenly horse, the invention of paper
Age of Disunion
The Cave of a Thousand Buddhas
Golden Dynasty: the Tang
Building the Grand Canal, three quarrelling princes, China's only woman Emperor, a love-struck ruler
Divided Dynasty: the Song
a soldier enthroned, defeat in the north, the six evil men, flying money and foot-binding
Mongol Dynasty: the Yuan
wild horsemen from the north, the marble palace of Kublai Khan, a giant catapult
Eunuchs' Dynasty: the Ming
Publisher:
A&U Children's
Imprint:
A & U Children
Pub Date:
April 2008
Page Extent:
252
Format:
Paperback - B format
Age:
10 - 14
Subject:
Children's non-fiction