Understanding Imperial China: Dynasties, Life, and Culture

De: The Great Courses, Andrew R. Wilson

Narrado por: The Great Courses

A knowledge of China's imperial history is vital for any understanding of its present, as modern China is linked in many ways to the extraordinary culture of its empire. These 24 lectures take you to the heart of life during China's imperial era, through the lives of individual subjects of all social ranks. Across the arc of the course, you'll witness what daily life was like for government bureaucrats, for scholars, for women of the court, for soldiers, merchants, craftspeople, courtesans, imperial cooks, and many others - all against the backdrop of the diversity, the genius, and the majesty of imperial China.

You'll hear about such memorable sights as the grand boulevards; splendorous palaces; imposing temples of Chang'an, the medieval world's greatest city; and the Qingming Shanghetu, a 17-foot painted scroll that gloriously portrays Song Dynasty life. And you'll meet unforgettable human beings, whose lives vividly reveal the world around them, such as Ban Zhao, Han-era woman of letters, poet, scholar, and teacher; Tao Yuanming, Daoist luminary and the empire's first great poet; Zhu Yuanzhang, powerful warlord and founder of the Ming Dynasty; and Hong Xiuquan, visionary reformer and architect of the religiously inspired Taiping Rebellion.

Understanding Imperial China: Dynasties, Life, and Culture is your passport to this incredible, historic world.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying reference material will be available in your Library section along with the audio.©2017 The Teaching Company, LLC (P)2017 The Great Courses

Must listen

Insightful, interesting, instructive. A look into the varied lives of the Chinese people across two centuries of historic endeavor.

Very good overview

Upon first go through there many names that make it difficult to keep track of characters; but the story is 5000 years and it gives great perspective. Will review this again and expect to enjoy it more. I will download the pdf and follow the story a little closer.

Equals the best Audible has

This course equals the best that Audible has ...which is anything Professor Ken Harl offers

Stunning History!

This is an amazing story of the Imperial China. It weaves elegantly together the human efforts on the individual and grand scale along a two thousand year long journey. Beautifully researched and scripted. I immensely enjoyed listening to this. Excellence from start to finish.

one of greatest great courses!

I wish all histories could be written the way this is structured. Dr Wilson carries us thru the dynasties, but not by listing Emperor A followed by B, or dynasty C followed by D. Instead he interweaves the stories of the people's lives, food, dress ,occupations, homes, even sex lives and attitudes. with the flow of the dynasties. This gives us an exceptionally clear, comprehensive view into the empire, and it's values, hopes and fears, from the lowliest to the Son of Heaven. The blend of lives, culture and history reveals how this combination of rulers and ruled directed the history of this ancient, beautiful, dynamic and heartrending culture. It gives a solid background for understanding the modern China, it's driving ambition, cultural cohesiveness and the people who are producing it.

Great perspective on today's China

Easy to listen and understand. This provided me a great perspective on today's China and international issues the world faces today.

Great story

I would give this book 5 stars except it's tiring hearing that my government isn't connected to something that may offend China before and after each chapter... Tell us once and be done with it.

Excellent Presentation

Perhaps the most interetsing story in world history, yet seldom told in such detail and with such knowledge and passion.

Thorough

Thorough and engaging. This one was a good addition to the Great Courses collection. I am glad to have read it.

Great job, mislabeled chapters

The actual lectures are great. Some of the lectures are out of order to the chapter headings.