Saturday, 22 January 2011

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The Age of Confucian Rule: The Song Transformation of China (History of Imperial China), by Dieter Kuhn

The Age of Confucian Rule: The Song Transformation of China (History of Imperial China), by Dieter Kuhn



The Age of Confucian Rule: The Song Transformation of China (History of Imperial China), by Dieter Kuhn

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The Age of Confucian Rule: The Song Transformation of China (History of Imperial China), by Dieter Kuhn

Just over a thousand years ago, the Song dynasty emerged as the most advanced civilization on earth. Within two centuries, China was home to nearly half of all humankind. In this concise history, we learn why the inventiveness of this era has been favorably compared with the European Renaissance, which in many ways the Song transformation surpassed.

With the chaotic dissolution of the Tang dynasty, the old aristocratic families vanished. A new class of scholar-officials―products of a meritocratic examination system―took up the task of reshaping Chinese tradition by adapting the precepts of Confucianism to a rapidly changing world. Through fiscal reforms, these elites liberalized the economy, eased the tax burden, and put paper money into circulation. Their redesigned capitals buzzed with traders, while the education system offered advancement to talented men of modest means. Their rationalist approach led to inventions in printing, shipbuilding, weaving, ceramics manufacture, mining, and agriculture. With a realist’s eye, they studied the natural world and applied their observations in art and science. And with the souls of diplomats, they chose peace over war with the aggressors on their borders. Yet persistent military threats from these nomadic tribes―which the Chinese scorned as their cultural inferiors―redefined China’s understanding of its place in the world and solidified a sense of what it meant to be Chinese.

The Age of Confucian Rule is an essential introduction to this transformative era. “A scholar should congratulate himself that he has been born in such a time” (Zhao Ruyu, 1194).

  • Sales Rank: #829894 in Books
  • Brand: Brand: Belknap Press
  • Published on: 2011-10-15
  • Released on: 2011-09-06
  • Original language: English
  • Number of items: 1
  • Dimensions: 9.15" h x .92" w x 6.17" l, .97 pounds
  • Binding: Paperback
  • 368 pages
Features
  • Used Book in Good Condition

Review
One of the leading historians of the Song period offers an empirically rich and well-informed book that is especially good on material culture and the history of technology. Kuhn offers strong overviews of the transformation of the capital cities, education and examination, commerce, and the Song fiscal system, as well as lively discussions of religious beliefs, the study of natural phenomena, and private life in the public sphere. For readers who want an in-depth look at mid-imperial Chinese history and culture, Dieter Kuhn's Age of Confucian Rule promises to become the book of choice. (Paul Jakov Smith, Haverford College)

The first four chapters of this well-researched, clearly written book present a balanced synopsis of the political, institutional, and military history of Song and its neighbors during some three centuries, when this was 'the most advanced civilization on earth.' The remaining eight chapters deal with thought, life cycle rituals, poetry and painting, education and the examination system, dynastic capitals, the world of production, money and taxation, private lives, and the public sphere. The author's enthusiasm is matched by his erudition and outstanding expertise in Song material culture as he ranges widely from the plethora of goods for sale in bustling shops and markets to the origins of foot binding, and finds space for dental hygiene as well as tomb construction...Scholars already versed in the period can learn much from this book, while those just beginning to delve into Chinese history are very well served. (C. Schirokauer Choice 2010-02-01)

[An] admirable account of the Song dynasty...This series on China, brilliantly overseen by Timothy Brook, is a credit to Harvard University Press. Above all, it encourages us to think of China in different ways. (Jonathan Mirsky Literary Review 2010-11-01)

One hopes [Kuhn's] work will find a larger audience, for he has much to teach to general readers, world historians, and China specialists alike. (Mark Halperin American Historical Review 2010-06-01)

The Age of Confucian Rule is a book that everyone who teaches Chinese history should have on his or her shelf and consult frequently...The attention [Kuhn] gives material culture is refreshing and helps him to make his case for the importance of China in Song times. (Patricia Ebrey International Journal of Asian Studies 2010-08-01)

About the Author
Dieter Kuhn is Professor and Chair of Chinese Studies, University of W�rzburg.

Timothy Brook is Professor of History and Republic of China Chair at the University of British Columbia.

Most helpful customer reviews

30 of 35 people found the following review helpful.
Nice Overview of the Song Dynasty
By Eleanor
This is a very nice overview of the Song dynasty. It's comprehensive yet concise. The book begins with a historical overview and then proceeds thematically. The chapters are:

1. A Time of Turmoil
2. Model Rulers
3. Reforming into Collapse
4. The Song in the South
5. Three Doctrines
6. Education and Examination
7. Life Cycle Rituals
8. Exploring the World Within and Without
9. Transforming the Capitals
10. A Changing World of Production
11. Money and Taxes
12. Private Lives in the Public Sphere
Conclusion

Chapter 7 has an interesting discussion of the education of women and women's property rights. Chapter 8 has a nice overview of Song dynasty literature, scroll paintings and scientific developments. The book has black and white photos of scroll paintings, diagrams of Buddhist temples, and makes good use of maps. I enjoyed this book and would recommend it highly.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful.
When Confucianism ruled
By kkbs
This fourth volume of HUP's History of Imperial China focuses on the Song Dynasty between the 10th and the 13th century, a period during which Confucianism (re-)gained its role as a government doctrine in China. Contrasting its European contemporary societies, this also implied government by officials, who were primarily chosen because of (certain) merits, versus feudal governments chosing their officials through parentage.
The book outlines the many technological and commercial developments in China during this period, as money paper (including inflation) was introduced, trade was boosted and the infrastructure was improved. On the other hand, the Song Dynasty was constantly fighting against its Northern neighbours, the Khitan Liao and the Jurchen Jin dynasties, while the latter even pushed the Song out of their Chinese heartland and established a border along the Huai River in 1126. Nevertheless, until the Mongol invasion in 1279 the Southern Song recovered and established a different China, focussing much more on the South and its traditions.
In his set up of the book, the author Dieter Kuhn follows the example of the previous three volumes, written by Mark E. Lewis, starting with a rather short summary (90 pages) of the political history, followed by chapters on religion and philosophy, the system of recruiting officials, arts and science, the capitals, and economy and government finances.
The main text of roughly 280 pages is accompanied by maps (there could be more) and explanatory images, and followed by dynastic tables of the Song and their counter-dynasties in the North, as well as a 30 pages bibiography.
Again this volume is written well and gives an interesting overview of the period. Recommendable for all interested in Chinese history.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful.
Most fascinating book in the series so far
By Laoshi
Before I read this book, the Song Dynasty for me was one of the least interesting dynasties. However, after reading it, I want to read more about the Song. The author knows so much about this period in Chinese history and he does such an effective job at describing it and analyzing. I noticed that the sources for this book uses more original sources written in Chinese. I have read the previous books in this series and was never as curious about the dynasties that they covered as I was about this one. This is a credit to the scholarly research, passion, and knowledge of this author. I have not had a chance to read the rest of the series due to their price being out of my range.

I do have one problem with this book and that is the writing style of the author. I am an ESL writing teacher and I teach students to write in the American rhetorical style with the main idea at the beginning of the paragraph followed by supporting details. However, the paragraphs rarely follow this structure and it makes it really frustrating to read at times. Most paragraphs start out with one idea and end with a completely different idea. It is instead written using European paragraph structure in which the topic statement is "cleverly" hidden, non-existent or comes toward the end of the paragraph. In contrast, the previous books in this series are written by an American who writes in the American rhetorical style, and they are very clear and easy to read. I actually have thought about bringing in some of these two writers' paragraphs as examples of how to write and how not to write a paragraph. I wish this book had been better edited to suit an English speaking audience.

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