From Yao to Mao: 5000 Years of Chinese History

By: Kenneth J. Hammond, The Great Courses

Narrated by: Kenneth J. Hammond

Length: 18 hrs and 14 mins

Publisher's summary

For most of its 5,000-year existence, China has been the largest, most populous, wealthiest, and mightiest nation on Earth. And for us as Westerners, it is essential to understand where China has been in order to anticipate its future. These 36 eye-opening lectures deliver a comprehensive political and historical overview of one of the most fascinating and complex countries in world history.

You'll learn about the powerful dynasties that ruled China for centuries; the philosophical and religious foundations-particularly Confucianism, Daoism, and Buddhism-that have influenced every iteration of Chinese thought, and the larger-than-life personalities, from both inside and outside its borders, of those who have shaped China's history. As you listen to these lectures, you'll see how China's politics, economics, and art reflect the forces of its past.

From the "Mandate of Heaven," a theory of social contract in place by 1500 B.C.E., 3,000 years before Western philosophers such as Thomas Hobbes and John Locke, to the development of agriculture and writing independent of outside influence to the technologically - advanced Han Dynasty during the time of the Roman Empire, this course takes you on a journey across ground that has been largely unexplored in the history courses most of us in the West have taken.

In guiding you through the five millennia of China's history, Professor Hammond tells a fascinating story with an immense scope, a welcome reminder that China is no stranger to that stage and, indeed, has more often than not been the most extraordinary player on it.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying reference material will be available in your Library section along with the audio.

©2004 The Teaching Company, LLC (P)2004 The Great Courses

Glossed over history

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

No. It needs more details.

What was the most interesting aspect of this story? The least interesting?

Chinese history is so colorful and fascinating. This history does not do it proper justice.

Did the narration match the pace of the story?

Not so much

Was From Yao to Mao: 5000 Years of Chinese History worth the listening time?

For a very brief glossed over summation please listen

Any additional comments?

Read Jung Chang for a more thorough history with all the dirty details.

too many "umms" and "uhs" - unlistenable.

I was most interested in modern history so I skipped to Chapter 28, which pertains to China's relationship with the west. It was unlistenable because of the ums and uhs.

A great overview of Chines History

What did you love best about From Yao to Mao: 5000 Years of Chinese History?

This is a long listen, but well worth. Prof (hammond is an articulate, erudite and engaging speaker and he has the enviable ability to summarise complex events clearly so you can follow along and not get distracted.

His strong grasp of the subject provides lots of hints for further reading and study, if thats what you want to do.

So if you are looking for a 50,00ft overview of Chinese history I highly recommend this.

Note - there are no chapter marks in this audiobook - you have to be careful to bookmark it yourself else its easy to get lost

What did you like best about this story?

The breadth of the subject, the engaging manner of delivery.

Any additional comments?

It would be good if the interval between lectures did not have the music and dinky appluase. Once is ok - but 20+ times gets old quickly

Greatest Cult Story Ever!!!

Overall the entire series is fascinating! Something's are covered to briefly for my tastes such as the three kingdoms and some topics get too much coverage such as culture during the southern Song. However, this is worth getting for one lecture alone! During the 1800's there is a crazy cult that forms that gets 100,000,000 followers! It's my new favorite piece of history!

A good, brief overview of Chinese history

The lecturer is very knowledgeable and provides a good way to understand China and its culture. However he did make a few simple mistakes, which I assume is because he's not a native speaker of the language. Overall still very good.

awesome

this was an awesome audiobook and I truly learned a lot from the engaging proffesor

Informative but lackluster

Very good content wise and I recommend it on that basis alone, but the narration is not the best. It almost reminded me of an 8 am class in college where even the professor did not want to be there; it just felt very flat and uninspired. If you want to learn more about China's history I would recommend it, but definitely not for the performance.

informative on every level of a weighty subject

a comprehensive coverage of a subject as vast as over 4,000 years of Chinese history very ably done.

A good listen full of information

There are definitely some umms here and there, but that is to be expected. This isn't a normal audiobook; it's a professor being recorded as he gives lectures. Overall, he presented well and has a great speaking voice. Without having much knowledge of the subject prior, I can say that I learned a lot and really enjoyed the listen. This is a class I would have liked to attend. I feel that the professor is knowledge and understands the material. I have zero complaints about this listen.

Good overview but a serious bias

I did enjoy this course and I do think anyone interested in China should listen to them but there is an obvious bias especially in the later years with regard to politically sensitive topics. An unbiased view of Mao's life and actions isn't attempted and the severe trauma of the cultural revolution and great leap forward are glossed over. I am not anti China, but I wish for a balanced view where both the good and bad are put on display.