Intellectually and visually stimulating; this important landmark book looks at the religious; political; social and artistic significance of the Imperial tombs of the Tang Dynasty (618-907 AD). It traces the evolutionary development of the most elaborately beautiful imperial tombs to examine fundamental issues on death and the afterlife in one of the world's most sophisticated civilizations. Selected tombs are presented in terms of their structure; artistic programs and their purposes. The author sets the tombs in the context of Chinese attitudes towards the afterlife; the politics of mausoleum architecture; and the artistic vocabulary which was becoming the mainstream of Chinese civilization.
#124987 in Books 1986-05-09 1986-05-09Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 7.75 x 1.48 x 5.00l; 1.44 #File Name: 039541055X752 pages
Review
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful. Prepare for Months of ReadingBy Larry DavisThese books are in great condition considering they are over 65 years old. My set did not come with dust jackets as shown in the photo. However; they what I have searched for years.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. In this book and "Their Finest Hour" Sir Winston is candid about his own (few) ...By CustomerAn outstanding book. More than just a history; it engages the reader on many levels. In this book and "Their Finest Hour" Sir Winston is candid about his own (few) missteps during this period. The book has a lot to teach about leadership; crisis management; maintaining morale; and many other dimensions of life in trying times. I found about 2 or 3 typos; but the correct word was clear from the context. The book was so compelling that I plan to read Manchester's 3-volume Churchill biography (The Last Lion) next.The maps do not fare too well in the Kindle format; but my small smartphone screen may be to blame for that. This problem was not a real barrier to understanding; the text was so good. I ordered the paperback first (the Mariner Books edition; ISBN 039541055X) and thus got a big discount on the Kindle version;Churchill's prose is scholarly; but clear and absorbing as well. I only ran across one word (limitrophe) that was a total stranger to me; and the good old Google search window solved that. (Hint: that word is not in either English dictionary for Kindle - US or UK).1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Winston Churchill at his abrasive bestBy J. W. WolterThis is history in real life. Mr. Churchill obviously had an enormous ego; but how else would he have accomplished what he did? This book is not an old man's faulty memory writing history as it "should" have been. Actual speeches and letters provide a running bibliography; providing a glimpse into the anguish; uncertainty; and sometimes feet of clay of the movers and shakers of Great Britain in the mid war period. The really frustrating (to me) thing about the book was how seemingly "easy" it would have been to halt the rise of Hitler had the WW1 victors built on their victory instead; according to Mr. Churchill; who proved ultimately correct; Hitler was allowed to bully governments who were unwilling to look to the future.If you are looking for a lot of U.S. history here; this is not the book for you as the U.S. is mentioned only in passing.I am the furthest person from an anglophile as you will ever meet; but if you are interested in history at all; this book is a must read.
