The Inner Workings and Outer Facade of Chinese History

The surface of Chinese history is filled with countless fascinating stories that offer great insight to people today. The wisdom of founding an empire, the rules of survival in the workplace reflected in the way of serving as a minister, and the nobility of human nature revealed when duty and self-interest collide... The wisdom people can draw from history is boundless. If you are familiar with these subjects, you can call yourself a history buff. But if you want to make the leap to near-expert status, you must also understand the inner workings of Chinese history. For example, what strategic significance did southwestern China often hold during periods when the north and south were divided? Why were official rank and actual power so often out of step? The imperial examination system has long been controversial, yet why did it become China's primary method of selecting officials for more than a thousand years, and what positive role did it play in the achievements of Chinese civilization? These are subjects that are rarely found or easily understood in other books, yet they have consistently played a decisive role in shaping the patterns of Chinese history. Through both horizontal and vertical perspectives, this book offers an in-depth yet accessible interpretation of the surface and inner workings of Chinese history. It ushers in a new era of close reading for general readers, letting the wisdom of history contribute to your success in life!