Chinese History: A New Manual

Chinese History: A New Manual is a comprehensive reference guide covering Chinese historical sources, research methods, and scholarship from ancient times to the present day. The work serves as both an encyclopedic resource and a practical handbook for researchers, containing extensive annotations on primary sources and research tools. This reference work has remained continuously in print since its initial 1973 version, with the latest edition (6th) released in 2022 for its 50th anniversary. The manual received the Prix Stanislas Julien in 2014, recognizing its contributions to Asian cultural scholarship. The book details 25 distinct disciplines necessary for studying Chinese history and includes evaluations of various research tools, source materials, and scholarly works in Chinese, Japanese, and Western languages. Each chapter contains introductory material and essays that outline key topics and methodological approaches. This manual represents a significant contribution to the field of Sinology, bridging the gap between Western and Eastern scholarship while providing essential guidance for both specialists and general readers interested in Chinese historical research.

Readers consistently describe this as a comprehensive reference work for serious China scholars and researchers. Many note its value as a research companion rather than a cover-to-cover read. Likes: - Exhaustive citations and bibliographies - Clear organization of complex historical information - Detailed explanations of Chinese historiography - Practical research methodology guidance - Regular updates in new editions Dislikes: - Dense academic writing style - High price point ($75+) - Physical size makes it cumbersome - Some sections become outdated between editions - Not suitable for casual readers Ratings: Goodreads: 4.7/5 (23 ratings) Amazon: 4.8/5 (15 reviews) Notable review quote: "This is not a history book but rather a manual about how to study Chinese history. The breadth and depth of coverage is astonishing." - Amazon reviewer Multiple readers note it functions best as a reference to consult rather than read linearly.

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🔖 The manual has grown from 1,100 pages in its fourth edition (2015) to over 1,500 pages in its fifth edition (2018), reflecting the rapid expansion of Chinese historical scholarship. 🏛️ Wilkinson served as EU Ambassador to China from 1994 to 2001, bringing unique diplomatic insights to his academic work on Chinese history. 📚 The book covers 25 distinct research disciplines, including specialized fields like Chinese numismatics, historical phonology, and excavated manuscripts. 🗃️ The work began as Wilkinson's personal research notes in the 1970s while he was a graduate student, evolving over 50 years into what is now considered the definitive reference guide for Chinese historical studies. 🌏 The manual includes detailed analysis of sources in multiple languages and writing systems, including oracle bone inscriptions, bamboo manuscripts, and digital databases, spanning over 3,000 years of recorded history.