Arthur Cotterell was principal of Kingston College. His previous books include The Minoan World, The Penguin Encyclopaedia of Ancient Civilizations, The Pimlico Dictionary of Classical Mythologies: Greece, Rome, Persia, India and China, China: A Cultural History and Chariot: The Astounding Rise and Fall of the World's First War Machine.

"He handles with grace and skill the challenge of making the country's dynastic past intelligible to the layman" Times Literary Supplement "A thoroughgoing history of China's ruling dynasties and their extraordinary achievements in architecture. The author's knowledge of Chinese dynasties is nearly encyclopedic... [his] work takes the traveler deep into the fascinating recesses of each dynasty" Kirkus Reviews "In addition to the political history, Sinophiles should savor Cotterell's surveys of the imperial capitals" Booklist

Arthur Cotterell was principal of Kingston College. His previous books include The Minoan World, The Penguin Encyclopaedia of Ancient Civilizations, The Pimlico Dictionary of Classical Mythologies: Greece, Rome, Persia, India and China, China: A Cultural History and Chariot: The Astounding Rise and Fall of the World's First War Machine.

"He handles with grace and skill the challenge of making the country's dynastic past intelligible to the layman" Times Literary Supplement "A thoroughgoing history of China's ruling dynasties and their extraordinary achievements in architecture. The author's knowledge of Chinese dynasties is nearly encyclopedic... [his] work takes the traveler deep into the fascinating recesses of each dynasty" Kirkus Reviews "In addition to the political history, Sinophiles should savor Cotterell's surveys of the imperial capitals" Booklist

Arthur Cotterell was principal of Kingston College. His previous books include The Minoan World, The Penguin Encyclopaedia of Ancient Civilizations, The Pimlico Dictionary of Classical Mythologies: Greece, Rome, Persia, India and China, China: A Cultural History and Chariot: The Astounding Rise and Fall of the World's First War Machine.

"He handles with grace and skill the challenge of making the country's dynastic past intelligible to the layman" Times Literary Supplement "A thoroughgoing history of China's ruling dynasties and their extraordinary achievements in architecture. The author's knowledge of Chinese dynasties is nearly encyclopedic... [his] work takes the traveler deep into the fascinating recesses of each dynasty" Kirkus Reviews "In addition to the political history, Sinophiles should savor Cotterell's surveys of the imperial capitals" Booklist