The Mirror of History

The Mirror of History is one of the signature works of Wu Han, a renowned Chinese historian. Drawing on the long sweep of history from the Pre-Qin era to the late Qing, the author recounts tales of extraordinary figures and curious anecdotes, offers appraisals of loyal ministers and famous generals, chats about gifted scholars and beautiful women, and examines social phenomena. The prose is free-flowing, the approach rigorous, the insights profound, and the subject matter richly varied. Reading it is a pleasure, and its ideas linger long afterward, offering a glimpse into the intellectual foundations that shaped China’s long history and culture.