New Book of Tang

The New Book of Tang (Xin Tang Shu) is a historical text completed in 1060 CE during the Song Dynasty. It chronicles the history of the Tang Dynasty (618-907 CE) through biographical accounts, institutional records, and historical narratives. The work spans 225 volumes and was commissioned by Emperor Renzong of Song as a revision of the older Tang history records. Ouyang Xiu and Song Qi led a team of scholars who spent several years compiling and editing the massive collection of documents, letters, and official histories. The text contains sections on imperial genealogies, bureaucratic systems, geography, literature, and detailed biographies of emperors, officials, and notable figures from the Tang period. Technical innovations include the reorganization of material into clearer categories and the addition of critical commentary on sources. This historical work represents a key advancement in Chinese historiography, balancing factual documentation with moral and political analysis. Its approach to organizing and evaluating historical sources influenced subsequent dynasty histories in China.

The New Book of Tang has limited online reader reviews and discussion due to it being a historical text from 1060 CE. Most commentary comes from academic sources rather than general readers. Readers appreciated: - Clear organization compared to the older Book of Tang - Detailed biographical records of Tang Dynasty figures - Coverage of diplomatic relations and foreign cultures - Documentation of administrative systems Common criticisms: - Translation difficulties for non-Chinese readers - Dense writing style challenges accessibility - Limited availability of complete English translations - Some sections considered dry or tedious No ratings available on Goodreads, Amazon or other major review sites. The text is primarily discussed in academic papers and historical research rather than consumer review platforms. Reader Wu Yong notes: "The genealogical tables provide invaluable insight into Tang Dynasty family structures, though navigating the complex relationships requires careful study." Professor H.S. Brunnert wrote: "The administrative chapters offer unparalleled detail but can overwhelm readers unfamiliar with Tang bureaucracy."

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🏛️ The New Book of Tang took 17 years to complete (1044-1060), compiling the history of China's Tang Dynasty across 225 volumes 📚 Authors Ouyang Xiu and Song Qi extensively revised the older "Old Book of Tang," correcting numerous errors and including newly discovered historical documents 👑 The text contains detailed biographies of 1,585 individuals, including emperors, generals, artists, and scholars of the Tang period 🎨 Unique among official histories, this work includes a special section dedicated to the arts, particularly literature and calligraphy 🗺️ The geographical sections of the book document over 1,500 ancient place names, providing invaluable information for modern archaeologists and historians studying Tang Dynasty China