China's First Emperor and His Terracotta Warriors [Paperback]

Unifier or destroyer, law-maker or tyrant? China's First Emperor (258-210 BC) has been the subject of debate for over 2,000 years. He gave us the name by which China is known in the West and, by his unification or elimination of six states, he created imperial China. He stressed the rule of law but suppressed all opposition, burning books and burying scholars alive. His military achievements are reflected in the astonishing terracotta soldiersa veritable buried armythat surround his tomb, and his Great Wall still fascinates the world.

Despite his achievements, however, the First Emperor has been vilified since his death. This book describes his life and times and reflects the historical arguments over the real founder of China and one of the most important men in Chinese history.

FRANCES WOOD is head of the Chinese department at the British Library. She is also the author of multiple books, including,Did Marco Polo Go toChina?, No Dogs and Not Many Chinese: A History of the Treaty Ports,andTheSilk Road.

Wood's book is a readable introduction to a ruler who has been hailed both as his country's founding father and vilified as a ruthless tyrant. Sunday Times

Fascinating book Mail on Sunday

great knowledge, lightly worn. Literary Review

wry, concise and authoritative. Times Literary Supplement

timely, and as sensible as it is concise. The Independent

Frances Wood presents a different portrait China's First Emperor, offering good reasons why myths of cruelty and megalomania should not be entirely believed. Metro

Essential reading and a colourful insight into a world in the making. The Good Book Guide

a timely digest of English-language scholarship on the subject. The Times

Wood's thorough analysis of the history is heightened by sensuous descriptions that, along with poems, recipl#'