Notes on Chinese History: A Great Scholar Discusses History

Lü Simian was a preeminent historian of the twentieth century. Together with Chen Yinke, Chen Yuan, and Qian Mu, he was named one of the “Four Great Historians of China” by the renowned historian Yan Gengwang. He spent his life poring over historical records and mastered the entire history of China. After his death, he left behind more than ten million words. Besides such major works as A Plain-Language History of China, History of the Pre-Qin Period, History of the Qin and Han Dynasties, History of the Jin, Northern and Southern Dynasties, and History of the Sui and Tang Dynasties and the Five Dynasties, he also left behind more than a million words of notes. These notes were not constrained by length or the structure and format of a formal work, allowing for richer detail, freer writing, and greater scope for exploration, making them more enjoyable to read. This book selects more than 500,000 words from his notes and academic essays, organizing them chronologically and by subject, including politics, the economy, culture, institutions, customs, and notable figures. It also takes readability into account, making it better suited to history enthusiasts for reading and collecting.