AnonyMencius Boshu :verywise: on Nostr: If you want a good start on China’s prehistory up until about the Han, here is a ...
If you want a good start on China’s prehistory up until about the Han, here is a good undergrad level text:
amazon.com/Ancient-China-John-S-Major/dp/0765616009
Each dynasty after that really needs their own book, and Harvard Press is probably best for that, but I realize it’s pricey:
hup.harvard.edu/collection.php?cpk=1338
Honestly reading Confucius and Mencius is an excellent starting point for understanding Chinese thought, but I would supplement with Han Fei: he’s the “Machiavelli” of China and in many ways Legalism was the reigning ideology (moreso than Ruism) for many centuries (especially during more tumultuous dynasties).
amazon.com/Ancient-China-John-S-Major/dp/0765616009
Each dynasty after that really needs their own book, and Harvard Press is probably best for that, but I realize it’s pricey:
hup.harvard.edu/collection.php?cpk=1338
Honestly reading Confucius and Mencius is an excellent starting point for understanding Chinese thought, but I would supplement with Han Fei: he’s the “Machiavelli” of China and in many ways Legalism was the reigning ideology (moreso than Ruism) for many centuries (especially during more tumultuous dynasties).