Ancient China

The Roman Empire and the Silk Routes investigates the trade routes between Rome and the powerful empires of inner Asia, including the Parthian regime which ruled ancient Persia (Iran). It explores Roman dealings with the Kushan Empire which seized power in Bactria (Afghanistan) and laid claim to the Indus Kingdoms. Further chapters examine the development of Palmyra as a leading caravan city on the edge of Roman Syria and consider trade ventures through the Tarim territories that led Roman merchants to Han China.

Michael Wood has travelled the length and breadth of China, the world's oldest civilization and longest lasting state, to tell a thrilling story of intense drama, fabulous creativity, and deep humanity that stretches back thousands of years.

From kung-fu to tofu, tea to trade routes, sages to silk, China has influenced cuisine, commerce, military strategy, aesthetics, and philosophy across the world for thousands of years. Chinese history is nothing if not messy. Heroes are also villains; prosperity mingles with violence; cultural vibrancy coexists with censorship and repression. Modern China is seen variously as an economic powerhouse, an icon of urbanization, a propaganda state, and an aggressive superpower seeking world domination.

In this audiobook, you will be led on a journey through almost 2,000 years of Chinese history, showing you all the ups and downs of those ancient times, the sufferings and joys of the Chinese people, along with their greatest achievements and failures. Dynasties will change, people will be killed and born, art made and destroyed, but the Chinese civilization will prevail, rising from humble beginnings to an empire that at some points outshined any other in the world at that time.

Spend twenty-four hours with the ancient Chinese. Travel back to AD 17, during the fourth year of the reign of Wang Mang of the Han dynasty, a vibrant and innovative era full of conflicts and contradictions. But as different as the Han culture might have been to other great ancient civilizations, the inhabitants of ancient China faced the same problems as people have for time immemorial: earning enough money, coping with workplace dramas, and keeping your home in order.

San Kuo: Or Romance of the Three Kingdoms is a historical novel attributed to Luo Guanzhong, set during the turbulent final years of the Eastern Han Dynasty and the Three Kingdoms period (circa 184–280 AD). Widely regarded as one of the Four Great Classical Novels of Chinese literature, it combines history, legend, and myth to depict the power struggles and heroic exploits of the era.

One of the most profound studies of warfare ever written, The Seven Military Classics of Ancient China presents us with an Eastern tradition of strategic thought that emphasizes outwitting one's opponent through speed, stealth, flexibility, and a minimum of force - an approach very different from that stressed in the West, where the advantages of brute strength have overshadowed more subtle methods.

It has become a common theme in today’s world to talk about the incredible technological and economic development of modern China. However, there are very strong historical roots to the exponential growth of modern China going back thousands and thousands of years.

In his retelling of a Chinese history stretching back 5,000 years, author and China-expert Jonathan Clements focuses on the human stories which led to the powerful transformations in Chinese society - from the unification of China under its first emperor, Qinshi Huangdi, to the Mongol invasion under Genghis Khan and the consolidation of Communist rule under Mao Zedong. Clements even brings listeners through to the present day, outlining China's economic renaissance under Deng Xiaoping and Xi Jinping.

Discover the Fascinating Journey of China from Ancient Dynasties to a Modern Superpower China’s history offers a comprehensive, clear, and compelling look at the key moments that shaped one of the world's oldest and most influential civilizations. Forget the dry history lessons and get ready to connect the dots between the past and the present. For thousands of years, China has navigated periods of immense change, conflict, and reinvention. This book takes you on a journey through every major phase of that history, from its legendary beginnings and foundational dynasties to the wars and ...

While there are many books that explore China’s history, public knowledge is still lacking. Many people can name more than one Roman Emperor, but how many can name a Chinese Emperor?

The Chinese created an amazing society that grew from along the banks of the Yellow River to oceans and lands beyond. But first, these people had to fight off jealous tribes from all sides and move their entire towns due to terrible floods. Yet they worked hard and built a culture that still survives - and thrives - today. Let’s take a close look at some of the most notorious leaders, their culture, and what drove them to persevere through the thousands of years it took to build the China we know today.

An army of Huns led by the ferocious Shan-Yu has invaded China. The Chinese Imperial Army must fight! Mulan, a young woman desperate to bring honor to her family, disguises herself as a male warrior in order to spare her father. Follow along as Mulan proves herself and defends China from the Huns!

Many nations define themselves in terms of territory or people; China defines itself in terms of history. Taking into account the country's unrivaled, voluminous tradition of history writing, John Keay has composed a vital and illuminating overview of the nation's complex and vivid past. Keay's authoritative history examines 5,000 years in China, from the time of the Three Dynasties through Chairman Mao and the current economic transformation of the country.

Venture beyond familiar horizons and journey back to a time of majesty and intrigue with "Beyond the Forbidden City," a captivating chronicle that's designed to transport you straight into the heart of Imperial China. Dive headfirst into this profound compilation of riveting tales, fascinating insights, and hidden truths that have shaped the very essence of Chinese civilization. Experience the grandeur of the ancient dynasties, the behind-the-scenes power of court eunuchs, and the awe-inspiring spectacle of the Terracotta Warriors. Savor a taste of Imperial China as you explore the ...

Unearth the Stories of Where Gods Walked the Earth and Legends Were Born This book is your all-access pass to the stories that forged a civilization. Get ready to witness the dawn of ancient Chinese thought! This curated volume captures the essence of what mattered for thousands of years: family, honor, destiny, and the deep mystery of the natural world. Inside, you'll finally discover: Cosmic Origins: Learn how the Dragon, Phoenix, Turtle, and Fiery Beast literally shaped the mountains and rivers of the world. Epic Romance: The tragic fate of the goddess who fell in love with a mortal, ...

Have you ever felt a sense of awe looking at the beauty of Chinese paintings and wanted to know more about the people and culture that produced these works of art? Did you know that early Chinese artists experimented with oils before opting to paint exclusively with water colors on silk or paper? Did you know that Chinese paintings are traditionally classified under eight headings? Are you able to identify and contrast conservative and progressive elements within Chinese paintings? Have you noticed the “mystery of the soul-world” in Chinese paintings? John Calvin Ferguson (1866-1945), a...

The United States of America has been the most powerful country in the world for more than 70 years, but recently the US National Security Strategy declared that the return of great power competition with Russia and China is the greatest threat to US national security. Further, many analysts predict that America's autocratic rivals will have at least some success in disrupting - and, in the longer term, possibly even displacing - US global leadership. Brilliant and engagingly written, The Return of Great Power Rivalry argues that this conventional wisdom is wrong.

The history of the Western Han dynasty reveals a time of magnificence for China: A time when the country expanded its territory, perfected the weaving of silk to such an extent that a trade route extending from China all the way to Rome would take its name from that prized export, and capitalized upon the technological advances within its country to witness an agricultural revolution that predated Europe’s farming innovations by hundreds of years.

Debut author Shen Tao introduces listeners to the lush, deadly world of The Poet Empress, a sweeping, epic and intimate fantasy perfect for fans of The Serpent & the Wings of Night, The Song of Achilles and She Who Became the Sun. In the waning years of the Azalea Dynasty, the emperor is dying...