Book of Han (Hanshu)
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Summary
Editor's review
In content, the Book of Han records the 230 years of the Western Han from Emperor Gaozu to Wang Mang. Its structure is rigorous and its materials rich. In particular, the "Ten Treatises," such as the "Treatise on Food and Money," "Treatise on Geography," and "Treatise on Literature," pioneered the treatise form in later official histories and are indispensable primary sources for studying Western Han politics, economy, culture, and society. The value of this annotated translation lies in the fact that it is not a simple vernacular rendering but incorporates the translators' research findings and judgments, offering contemporary interpretive guidance at key historical junctures and in evaluations of figures, helping readers form a more three-dimensional and dialectical historical understanding while comprehending the original. For readers who wish to systematically understand Han history but are daunted by the difficulty of classical Chinese, this is a quite reliable stepping stone.
It should be noted, however, that as a translated and annotated work it inevitably carries the subjective interpretations of its translators. When using it to understand the original, readers may also consult other annotated editions or primary sources to form their own independent judgments. Overall, this is a well-made, reliably oriented popular scholarly work that achieves a good balance between rigor and accessibility.
Who it's for
A good fit for
- Beginners and enthusiasts with a strong interest in Western Han history who wish to understand it systematically
- Students of Chinese language and literature or history who need a reliable auxiliary edition of the Book of Han
- Readers who enjoy reading historical classics but want modern Chinese translation and annotations as support
- Readers with a desire to explore ancient Chinese institutions and the evolution of social culture
Not a good fit for
- Professional scholars seeking the original classical text of the Book of Han for in-depth collation and research
- Readers expecting a fully vernacular, story-like, highly dramatized historical work
Reading tips
- Begin with the "Introduction" or "Publication Note" to understand the translation and annotation format, the highlights, and Ban Gu's historiographical thought
- When reading, combine the annals and biographies with the treatises—for example, when reading a biography, consult the relevant treatise for fuller historical context
- For important chapters or doubtful points, take notes and consult other authoritative commentaries or reference works for comparative reading
About the publisher
Zhonghua Book Company is a publisher known for collating ancient texts and academic publishing, with its output centered on Eastern philosophy, culture, classic works, art, and historical reading. Its library contains 532 titles, including Chen Shou's Records of the Three Kingdoms, Guo Qingfan's Collected Commentaries on Zhuangzi, the four-volume Chinese Literature: Four Great Classical Novels, and the two-volume Table of Seal and Clerical Script Forms from Qin, Han, Wei, and Jin. These titles span historical classics, commentaries on the philosophers, classical novels, and philological reference works. Representative authors include Chen Shou, Guo Qingfan, Wu Cheng'en, Shi Nai'an, Cao Xueqin, Luo Guanzhong, Xu Wenwu, and the Hanyu Dazidian character-form group, reflecting a focus on primary sources and scholarly editors. Its publishing character lies in combining authoritative editions and annotated texts with both accessible classics and specialized research. Public information on its fuller catalog is limited; this note describes only the directions evident in the library's holdings.
Contents
- 版权信息
- 前言
- 武帝纪
- 苏武传
- 张骞传
- 朱买臣传
- 主父偃传
- 东方朔传
- 杨恽传
- 霍光传
- 赵广汉传
- 张禹传
- 龚遂传
- 原涉传
- 董贤传
- 王莽传
FAQ
Is this edition the complete Book of Han?
What is the academic level of the translation and annotations?
What are the main differences between this edition and other Zhonghua Book Company editions of the Book of Han (such as the punctuated Twenty-Four Histories edition)?
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About the author
Zhang Yonglei: publicly available information about his life is currently limited, and his nationality, dates of birth and death, and educational background are not clearly recorded; only one work by him is held in the collection. From the extant materials, he is associated with the classic Hanshu (Book of Han). As for subject matter, the Hanshu is a dynastic history in the biographical style compiled by Ban Gu, covering the Western Han dynasty and possessing both historical and literary value. It is often classified under Eastern philosophy in catalogs, indicating that its content touches on political ethics, statecraft, and the evaluation of historical figures. Zhang Yonglei's writing or editorial work around this book likely leans toward interpreting and presenting the classic, with a plain and clear style intended to help modern readers follow the original text. Because verifiable personal materials are scarce, a full account of his specific contributions and style is difficult to give; readers may rely mainly on the work itself, reading it alongside related historical sources and commentaries to appreciate the enduring influence of this classic in thought and narrative.
Publicly available information on Liu Cong is limited, and clear records of his life, place of origin, education, or posts have not been found. The library holds one work by him, the Hanshu (Book of Han). Under the common classification, the work is placed in Eastern philosophy. In terms of subject matter, the Hanshu is a foundational historical text: it chronicles the rise and fall of the Western Han, its institutions and regulations, and the deeds of its figures, and thus carries value for both historiography and thought. Readers can learn from it how Han institutions were established and evolved, as well as how the historian judged statecraft, ethics, and human affairs. Liu Cong's writing style cannot yet be described in detail, but the work offers a general sense of his approach to historical sources. It may serve readers studying Chinese history and intellectual culture and is helpful for understanding traditional historiography and Eastern philosophy. Given the limited material, this note offers no further speculation.
