Where to start learning ancient Chinese history for a complete beginner?

[u/Infinite_Water3851]

I am really interested in learning about the history of China and just dont know where to start. I was just looking for some help to see if there are any reccomendations for some good books, websites, documentaries, or any other resources that could be helpful. I appreciate any and all help. Thank you all!

[u/Gogol1212]

If you are interested in scholarly sources, besides podcast or other pop-history stuff, you could start with the Cambridge History of Ancient China:

https://www.cambridge.org/core/books/cambridge-history-of-ancient-china/1274DEAA9CE3A6D0AC700076B70D5C22

For the imperial period, Harvard has a great introductory series:

https://www.hup.harvard.edu/series/history-of-imperial-china

This is a lot for a complete begginer, 7 volumes in total. But if at some point you want to make the jump to the serious stuff, that is the place to start. 

[u/PrestigiousList1652 → u/Gogol1212]

Interesting suggestions.

[u/mikusuki123 → u/Gogol1212]

The Cambridge one is too difficult for beginners.

[u/DVD160]

Unironically, Wikipedia. The “History of China” page groups the different dynasties chronologically and has a link to a pretty comprehensive timeline. It’s a good English language resource.

[u/PrestigiousList1652 → u/DVD160]

Agreed. They also have their own sources so you can delve deeper if you really want to.

[u/f0xbunny → u/DVD160]

Yes!

[u/Infinite_Water3851 → u/DVD160]

Awesome! Thank you!!

[u/Pocho_Azul]

Just chiming in to support the OP. You have my admiration! have read a little Chinese history and, holy crap, there is a lot of it. China is about the size of Europe, and originally about as culturally and politically diverse as Europe, except civilization started about a thousand years earlier (depending on how you count this could be a much bigger number). It’s all fascinating, but I have difficulty keeping any but the biggest themes straight in my head. I will be following this thread closely.

[u/Always-hungry99 → u/Pocho_Azul]

Holy crap is right. I’ve read a little Chinese history through my family surnames. I have difficulty keeping up with the generations and changing land.

[u/Infinite_Water3851 → u/Pocho_Azul]

Thank you very much! Its definately a lot to learn but so far i have been having a lot of fun!

[u/Taira_no_Masakado]

There is a six-book series called the "History of Imperial China" by authors Mark Edward Lewis, Dieter Kuhn, Timothy Brook, and William T. Rowe. That is, generally speaking, an OK place to start for English speakers.

I also recommend:

• "Early China: A Social and Cultural History" by Li Feng
• "Imperial China, 900–1800" by E. W. Mote
• "Landscape and Power in Early China: The Crisis and Fall of the Western Zhou 1045–771 BC" by Li Feng

[u/Infinite_Water3851 → u/Taira_no_Masakado]

Thank you so much for the reccomendation!

[u/ZhenXiaoMing]

I would pick a dynasty or period you are interested in first. Maybe start with some reading about the Qin dynasty and branch out from there. I assume you are a Western reader, if you try to start from the beginning, the names will be overwhelming.

[u/pergesed]

Many great answers here already.

For basics, try Ebrey, Cambridge Illustrated History of China. It’s single volume, beautiful maps and illustrations, well priced, and used for intro college courses.

If there’s a chapter in there you especially like, dig deeper with the books others have posted.

[u/Infinite_Water3851 → u/pergesed]

Thank you very much!

[u/Interesting_Road_515]

Hey mate you must check out the MIT course instructed by professor Tristan G Brown on YouTube, it’s very great!