Treasures of China: The Glories of the Kingdom of the Dragon

China, ""the only ancient civilization to have survived up to the present day,"" represents a massive undertaking for historians; fortunately, this consideration and celebration of Chinese art from Scottish historian Chinnery, beginning in the Neolithic era and ending just before the 20th Century, is a wholly worthwhile effort. Some of the oldest pieces are the most fascinating, including a detailed hair ornament carved out of jade with a turquoise inlay, believed to date from 2000 BCE. Another highlight is the Terracotta Army, 6,000 life-sized clay soldiers built to protect China's first emporer, Shihuangdi, in the afterlife. Though concerned primarily with art, captured in more than 170 striking color images, this volume also provides a remarkably concise but thorough account of general Chinese history; also noted are important moments in fashion and literature (the Chinese translation of the Buddhist text Diamond Sutra, from 868 CE, is the world's oldest printed book). Also discussed at length is the Chinese language, an art form in itself and ""the world's oldest writing system still in use."" This beautiful volume should fascinate anyone with an interest in Far East history and art.