From Yao to Mao: 5000 Years of Chinese History
Failed to add items
Add to basket failed.
Add to Wish List failed.
Remove from Wish List failed.
Follow podcast failed
Unfollow podcast failed
From Yao to Mao: 5000 Years of Chinese History
Buy Now for $46.99
No valid payment method on file.
We are sorry. We are not allowed to sell this product with the selected payment method
-
Narrated by:
-
Kenneth J. Hammond
About this listen
For most of its 5,000-year existence, China has been the largest, most populous, wealthiest, and mightiest nation on Earth. And for us as Westerners, it is essential to understand where China has been in order to anticipate its future. These 36 eye-opening lectures deliver a comprehensive political and historical overview of one of the most fascinating and complex countries in world history.
You'll learn about the powerful dynasties that ruled China for centuries; the philosophical and religious foundations-particularly Confucianism, Daoism, and Buddhism-that have influenced every iteration of Chinese thought, and the larger-than-life personalities, from both inside and outside its borders, of those who have shaped China's history. As you listen to these lectures, you'll see how China's politics, economics, and art reflect the forces of its past.
From the "Mandate of Heaven," a theory of social contract in place by 1500 B.C.E., 3,000 years before Western philosophers such as Thomas Hobbes and John Locke, to the development of agriculture and writing independent of outside influence to the technologically - advanced Han Dynasty during the time of the Roman Empire, this course takes you on a journey across ground that has been largely unexplored in the history courses most of us in the West have taken.
In guiding you through the five millennia of China's history, Professor Hammond tells a fascinating story with an immense scope, a welcome reminder that China is no stranger to that stage and, indeed, has more often than not been the most extraordinary player on it.
PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying reference material will be available in your Library section along with the audio.
©2004 The Teaching Company, LLC (P)2004 The Great CoursesWhat listeners say about From Yao to Mao: 5000 Years of Chinese History
Average Customer RatingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- Kindle Customer
- 10-11-2024
An outstanding review of Chinese history
I thought the scope of this history might make it less inciteful and interesting than delving into specific periods, but on the contrary I found it fascinating. It was so well presented, with great pacing and always diving into the details when warranted and returning to the larger pattern with perfect timing. So listenable that it has made all my household chores more bearable for weeks, with this incredible tale unfolding. Thank goodness we live in an era where we can indulge in the best of education while we cook or weed the garden
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall4 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story4 out of 5 stars
- Mike
- 22-10-2016
Great overview on the politcal history of China
Wish there was more in the way of what China was like for the peasantry. Also there's very little on the role of the military under the Chinese Empire and how it was maintained in times of peace.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall4 out of 5 stars
-
Performance4 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- Pragmatic shopper
- 23-07-2022
Great series overall, but...
It was a very enjoyable series of lectures. Some facts are a little different to what could be found elsewhere kind in Wikipedia, blogs, books on periods covered, as well as on other University websites. However, these seem to be very occasional. An example is that Yongzheng was the 4th and not 13th son of Kangxi. If you are interested in the history of China, these lectures cover the entire recorded history, noting important events, key relationships and other factors in the process. You really end up with a good sense of China as a nation, a People, and the relative place it held (and holds) in a global setting.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- Anonymous User
- 13-02-2019
Amazing
Highly recommend for anyone wanting to learn about China. A brilliant broad overview.
For me it will serve as a timeline to pin more in-depth glances to.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall4 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story4 out of 5 stars
- Vivien
- 19-02-2016
From Yao to Mao by Professor Hammond
This is a tremendous series and a tour de force from Professor Hammond. It is dense and for me often required a couple of replays -and I could listen to it all again. He explained the entire history of China with such eloquence and understanding. I am so pleased to have heard this - it has further increased my curiosity to know more about China. Many thanks!
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- raz
- 12-06-2019
A must course in Chinese History
Would start by saying that’s easy to jump to conclusions about China without the valuable background presented in this book. Also it’s worth noting that this great people and culture have been “hard done” in part by the Western colonial power and in part by their own internal divisions. This course will enlighten and elucidate all this.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance4 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- Amnon
- 24-04-2018
Fantastic review across the entire Chinese history
If you could sum up From Yao to Mao: 5000 Years of Chinese History in three words, what would they be?
I've learnt lots!
What was one of the most memorable moments of From Yao to Mao: 5000 Years of Chinese History?
I knew very little about Chinese history prior and this series was a real eye opener.
What does Professor Kenneth J. Hammond Ph.D. Harvard University bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you had only read the book?
Tells the story in quite an interesting way. A bit too many "mmms" and "ahhhhs" between words and quite a few sighs along the way, but overall he does a great job at delivering this complex narrative of Chines history.
Any additional comments?
Could use a bit more colour when describing armed conflicts and could definitely benefit from more images and maps in the course PDF. Still - a very enjoyable and important course. Thank you!
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall2 out of 5 stars
-
Performance2 out of 5 stars
-
Story1 out of 5 stars
- Philip
- 10-01-2019
Not the greatest
Chinese history fascinates me but this was incredibly uninteresting and shallow as far as information goes. Did not bother finishing
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall1 out of 5 stars
-
Performance1 out of 5 stars
-
Story1 out of 5 stars
- Anonymous User
- 27-12-2019
terrible
terrible narration, glaring omissions. I struggled to stay awake. no mention at all of mao purges or victims of cultural revolution, or that mao was history's most successful mass murderer
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
3 people found this helpful
-
Overall2 out of 5 stars
-
Performance2 out of 5 stars
-
Story2 out of 5 stars
- Aleksandar
- 17-07-2022
Communist Apologist
It’s enraging to hear these historians sit there and literally gloss over the atrocities committed by the communist regimes, and the devastating effects of their policies (eg; the Great Leap Forward, and the blatant confiscation of peoples property for “Land Reform”).
It’s disgusting.
I enjoyed the ancient parts and how China emerged. There was much wisdom in the ways of old.
The biggest problems occurred with the attempt to transform a functional and lindy compatible monarchy, into some ridiculous democratic state, and just like Russia and the rest of Europe, the power vacuum left transformed it into a blood bath.
This could’ve been good.
But in the end was atrocious
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
1 person found this helpful