The Terra Cotta Army: China's First Emperor and the Birth of a Nation

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The Terra Cotta Army is one of the greatest archaeological discoveries ever made. Over seven thousand life-size figures of warriors and horses were interred in the mausoleum of the first emperor of China—and each figure was individually carved.

Weaving together history and a first-hand account of his experiences in China, John Man tells the fascinating story of how and why these astonishing figures were created in the third century BC, and how they have become a symbol of China's history, culture, and society.

Product Details

ISBN-13: 9780306818400

Media Type: Paperback

Publisher: Hachette Books

Publication Date: 08-04-2009

Pages: 336

Product Dimensions: 5.70(w) x 9.00(h) x 1.00(d)

About the Author

John Man is a historian and travel writer with a special interest in Asia. His many acclaimed books include bestselling biographies of Genghis Khan and Attila the Hun, as well as The Great Wall and The Terracotta Army. He lives in the United Kingdom.

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

List of Maps vii
A Note on Spelling ix
Acknowledgements xi
Picture Acknowledgements xiii
Preface: An Army of the Past and Present xv
Origins
Discovery 3
The Grand Historian's Hidden Agenda 16
Warring States, Conflicting Ideas 27
From Prince to King 42
The Making of China 61
A Ruthless Frenzy 72
Beyond the Grave
The World to Come 97
Digging the Tomb 115
Making the Eternal Army 127
Sudden Death 157
Consumed by Fire 179
The Eighth Wonder
Six Thousand Characters in Search of a Role 205
New Marvels in Bronze and Stone 230
On Handling Treasures 247
To Be Revealed 257
Dates and Dynasties 269
Qin and the Terra Cotta Army in Context 271
Bibliography 275
Index 281

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