The Grand Scribe's Records, Volume V.II

The Grand Scribe's Records, Volume V.II offers a detailed examination of the shih chia, or hereditary houses, within the historical framework of Ssu-Ma Ch'ien's monumental work. This volume of The Grand Scribe's Records focuses on the origins and development of China's earliest states. Through seven new translations, the text traces these political entities from their 11th century BC beginnings until their eventual unification under the Ch'in empire in 221 BC.

As a significant work of world literature and Asian history, this volume integrates myth, biography, and chronicle to reconstruct a lost era. The narratives rely on early written and oral sources to provide a scholarly look at ancient Chinese politics and social sciences. This reference text serves as a vital resource for students of sociology and cultural studies, presenting a dramatic account of the foundational structures of early Chinese civilization.