Tales from the Twenty-Five Histories

The “Twenty-Five Histories” refers to twenty-five historical works: Records of the Grand Historian, Book of Han, Book of the Later Han, Records of the Three Kingdoms, Book of Jin, Book of Song, Book of Southern Qi, Book of Liang, Book of Chen, Book of Wei, Book of Northern Qi, Book of Zhou, Book of Sui, History of the Southern Dynasties, History of the Northern Dynasties, Old Book of Tang, New Book of Tang, Old History of the Five Dynasties, New History of the Five Dynasties, History of Song, History of Liao, History of Jin, History of Yuan, History of Ming, and Draft History of Qing.

The Twenty-Five Histories form the backbone of Chinese historiography and are the only comprehensive collection of officially commissioned histories in China. Written in a unified biographical-annalistic format, they systematically document the country's history from ancient times to the end of the Qing dynasty, tracing the rise and fall of successive dynasties and covering the economy, politics, science and technology, military affairs, and arts of different historical periods. They are truly an encyclopedia of Chinese civilization.

Stories from the Twenty-Five Histories: An Exceptional Full-Color Platinum Edition selects major historical events and important figures from the Twenty-Five Histories, arranging them into 25 chapters in chronological order. With a broad scope and fresh perspectives, it explains Chinese history from multiple angles and vividly outlines its fundamental course and development. Stories from the Twenty-Five Histories: An Exceptional Full-Color Platinum Edition helps readers examine, experience, and reflect on history from new and fresh perspectives.