Life> Reading

Of an emperor's mind and motives

(China Daily)
Updated: 2010-12-03 09:28

The First Emperor: Selections from the historical records by Sima Qian, edited by K.E. Brashier, translated by Raymond Dawson, 2009

Sima Qian's lively narration of the life of an emperor who preceded him by a century is full of anecdotes, although some of these stories are probably apocryphal.

Terracotta Warriors, Guardians of China's First Emperor: Jane Portal, John Williams, Saul Peckham, 2008

A slim and handy guide containing hundreds of photos illustrating the statues' distinct dress, hairstyles, postures and facial expressions.

Emperor Qin's Terracotta Army: Michael Capek, 2008

The story of the amazing discovery of the Terracotta Warriors in 1974, this book features a close look at the individual figures and the intricate nature of the weapons they once held.

The Early Chinese Empires: Qin and Han, Mark Edward Lewis, 2007

The first in a six-volume series on the history of imperial China, the book focuses on the institutions - bureaucracy, army, centralized administration - that the brief Qin (221-206 BC) rule began and the succeeding Han Dynasty (206 BC-AD 220) built upon.

The Eternal Army: The Terracotta Soldiers of the First Emperor: Roberto Ciarla, 2005

Using the mausoleum structure as a key, the book tries to unravel some of the enduring mysteries associated with the Terracotta Warriors. The book throws light on the life of Qin Shihuang and his motives for undertaking such a mammoth project.