Ebrey, Patricia Buckley. The Cambridge Illustrated History of China. Cambridge UP, 2010.
This provides an illustrated history of China. The book provides traditional myths about the Chinese. The book demarcates several periods in the history of China using dynasties. The author uses illustrations throughout the book to show various activities that took place in various dynasties. In addition, the book explores the complex nature of Chinese society and points out various factors that help Chinese groups who have different dialect, religion, and way of life live together harmoniously. The book provides a historical basis for the peaceful coexistence of various Chinese groups. In addition, the book illustrates the changes in the society during the ancient dynasties.
Elkins, James. Chinese Landscape Painting as Western Art History. Hong Kong UP, 2010.
Landscape painting is one of the major ancient Chinese forms of painting. The book provides a study of Chinese landscape painting that might be of interest to non-specialists or generalists. The book provides a detailed history of Chinese landscape painting.
The book looks at various influential ancient Chinese painters who helped in shaping Chinese landscape painting. In addition, the book tries to provide interpretation of various Chinese landscape paintings. The book compares Chinese landscape painting with various ancient western paintings. In so doing, the author helps in showing the importance of Chinese Landscape painting in modern art history.
Huang, Junjie and Erik Zürcher. Time and Space in Chinese Culture. BRILL, 1995.
This book helps in explaining the peculiar nature of the Chinese notion of ‘time’ and ‘space.’ The book explains how the peculiar notions of time and space help in molding the Chinese traditional culture. According to the authors, the notion of space and time helped in shaping the China’s ancient history.
On the other hand, history helps in shaping modernity of the Chinese society. Significant differences in the Chinese notion of space and time makes it difficult for the Chinese to adopt other cultures. Paintings help in portraying the ancient notion of space of time.