A General History of China: The Historical Works of Lü Simian

Lü Simian was a renowned historian. His History of China, originally titled Revival Senior High School Textbook: National History, is divided into six parts: Introduction, Ancient History, Medieval History, Modern History, Contemporary History, and Conclusion. It offers a comprehensive account of Chinese history from ancient times through the 1930s. The first and second volumes were published in February and August 1934, respectively. One of the best-selling Chinese history textbooks of its time, it was printed nearly 200 times, and a revised edition was later released. Compared with the first edition, the revised edition’s fifth part, “Contemporary History,” includes six additional chapters on the War of Resistance Against Japan, the founding of the nation, wartime diplomacy, and international cooperation. Most editions currently available are based on the first edition. This edition restores the six chapters from the revised edition for readers to enjoy.