SELF-TAUGHT historian Sun Haohui’s nonfiction series “The Qin Empire” is so popular that the multitudes of zealous fans’ questions forced his latest book release event to run late at the Beijing Book Fair on Jan 9.
Thirty minutes after the scheduled ending time, the host had to halt the Q&A, leaving many disappointed they didn’t get to pose their queries.
Sun was presenting the abridged, three-book version of his best-selling 11-book series, “The Qin Empire.”
The new version condenses the 5 million-character series into 1.2 million characters.
Its publisher estimates the new version will sell at least 100,000 copies.
The books chronicle the dynasty’s trajectory from its 221 B.C. birth until its 206 B.C. fall and challenges many accepted beliefs about the period’s rulers.
“People often believe Qin rulers were brutal tyrants,” Sun explains.
“And many criticize (founding) Emperor Qin Shihuang for not respecting Confucianism. I believe the Qin Dynasty represents the peak of China’s cultural diversity. It was a time when bravery and masculinity were fully respected.”
Also, a comprehensive set of laws was applied, which was an advanced concept at the time, he says.
Sun’s original series, which was published in 2008, is recognized as the only full literary account of the entire Qin era. It was adapted into a top-rated China Central Television serial in 2009, which brought him provincial-level and national awards.
Sun was born in the Qin Dynasty capital of Xi’an — today the capital of Shaanxi Province in 1949. He quit his job as a law professor to devote all his time to researching and writing about the Qin.
Critics have lauded the depictions of the dynasty’s economics, politics, military affairs, diplomacy and customs.
The books vividly depict how the Qin State prospered through reforms during the Warring States Period (475 -221 B.C.) and how Qin Shihuang conquered six other states to establish the dynasty.
The books also compare the states’ scientific progress, philosophies and geography.
The abridged series cuts commentaries on the Qin state’s rivals and plotlines unrelated to the dynasties, such as records of witchcraft practiced during the period. He also reworded the books for readability. “I hope more readers will become interested in the period after they read the books and reflect on what we could learn from our ancestors,” Sun says. (SD-Agencies)
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