A Brief History of Ancient China adapts a traditional Chinese historical format to present a multi-faceted account of the first two millennia of China's earliest history: from the time of the legendary rulers Yao and Shun (c. 2000 BCE) down to the end of the Qin dynasty (221-207 BCE).
Organised into five major sections, it examines the political shifts of the major dynasties, the histories of local states, and the lives of key individuals. Drawing on analysis of textual and visual materials, and a variety of English and non-English sources, Edward L. Shaughnessy offers detailed insight into the contemporary religious and philosophical landscape, governmental and legal practices, and innovations in writing, literature, and music.
Incorporating recent developments in the field, this book draws on archaeological discoveries from the last century, and examines the lives of central female figures, and other groups who are often underrepresented.

Edward Louis Shaughnessy is Lorraine J. and Herrlee G. Creel Distinguished Service Professor in Early Chinese Studies, and Director of Graduate Studies, East Asian Languages and Civilizations at the University of Chicago, USA.

List of Figures
List of Maps
List of Tables
Preface
Basic Annals
1. Basic Annals of Yao and Shun
2. Basic Annals of Xia
3. Basic Annals of Shang
4. Basic Annals of Zhou
5. Basic Annals of Qin
Maps and Tables
6. Topographical Map of China
7. Map of Yu the Great's Nine Regions
8. Maps of the Shang,Western Zhou, Springs and Autumns and Warring States Periods
9. Map of Major Archaeological Sites of Ancient China
10. Genealogies and Chronologies of Rulers of Xia, Shang and Western Zhou
11. Chronologies of Rulers of Major States of the Springs and Autumns Period
12. Chronologies of Rulers of Major States of the Warring States Period
13. Table of Historically Important Non-Rulers in Ancient China
Essays
14. Essay on the Heavens
15. Essay on the Earth
16. Essay on Ritual
17. Essay on Warfare
18. Essay on Government
19. Essay on Law
20. Essay on Music
21. Essay on Bronze
22. Essay on Writing
23. Essay on Literature
Hereditary Houses
24. Hereditary House of Lu
25. Hereditary House of Yan
26. Hereditary House of Qi
27. Hereditary House of Jin
28. Hereditary House of Wei
29. Hereditary House of Zhao
30. Hereditary House of Han
31. Hereditary House of Chu
32. Hereditary House of Zeng
33. Hereditary Houses of Wu and Yue
34. Hereditary Houses of the Eastern Peoples
35. Hereditary Houses of the Western Peoples
Biographies
36. Biographies of Yi Yin and Fu Yue
37. Biography of Fu Hao
38. Biographies of Luzi Sheng and the Three Humane Men of Shang
39. Biography of Moufu, Duke of Zhai
40. Biography of Supervisor of the Horse Lu, the Elder of Jing
41. Biographies of Yin Jifu
42. Biography of Bao Si
43. Biographies of Li Ji and Mu Jiang
44. Biography of Ding Jiang
45. Biography of Maestro Kuang
46. Biography of Zi Chan
47. Biography of Wu Zixu
48. Biography of Confucius
49. Biographies of Confucius's Disciples
50. Biographies of Mencius and Xunzi
51. Biographies of Laozi and Zhuangzi
52. Biographies of Sun Wu and Sun Bin
53. Biography of Shang Yang
54. Biography of Shao Tuo
55. Biography of Bian Que
56. Biographies of Qu Yuan and Song Xing
57. Biography of Xi
58. Biographies of Han Fei and Li Si
59. Biographies of Chen She and Wu Guang
60. Author's Postface