Arthur Cotterell

I bought this book to learn more about China's ancient capitals. What I discovered, however, is an absolutely delightful book on the history of China (and its capital cities) as chronicled through the lives of its most important emperors. The first chaper on "The Cosmology of the Chinese Capital" is a fascinating overview of the Chinese world view that links astronomy, religion and geography with Chinese, Indian, Khmer and other Asian orientations--one of the best introductions to the show more subject I've read. The author then chapter by chapter, follows the lives of the various emperors who founded, moved or destroyed cities and courts and populations in their search for the ideal capital city, safety, riches, military advantage, or divine approval. This history comes alive with anecdotes, stories and details that are beautifully woven together and makes the text a real page-turner. Together with Ann Paludan's excellent book "Chronicles of the Chinese Emperors", which because of its rich illustrations and pictures is the perfect companion to Cotterell's narrative, you have two of the best general overviews of Chinese history to be found. Wonderful book, and one I'll buy and give to many friends to introduce them to the captivating subject of classical Chinese history. show less

Once you get into the rhythm of the narrative, this is an entertaining way of getting a broad outline of Chinese history (up to the early twentieth century) through the story of its imperial capitals.

There are surprisingly few good general accounts of Chinese history, considering the country's new status as rising superpower, although we understand that publishers intend to change that in coming years.

In the meantime, this book will serve. Cotterell writes well enough. The heads of Chinese show more history are covered. There are even the seeds of analysis. Not a bad interim introduction.

To know China is also to understand much of the rest of East Asia better. Although distinct and proudly separate cultures, both Korea and Japan owe a great deal to Chinese culture.

One foot note - the account of British imperial conduct in the mid-nineteenth century is pretty damning.

The British were little better behaved towards China than the modern Mexico cartels who are now undermining the United States.

In a way, as the mafia say, 'that was then and this is now', but the Chinese are not unjustified in seeing our discovery of ethics in foreign policy to have come somewhat late in the day.

You should read a history of China, if not this one, to understand precisely what informs the Chinese sense of what needs re-balancing in the world. Chinese suspicion of Western motivations are reasonable.

Histories of Russia, India and the Muslim worlds would tell not dissimilar stories of arrogant piracy by Western 'gentlemen' and 'scholars'.

There is unfinished business here and Westerners should start reading sooner rather than later about the world they once ruled and soon will rule no longer. show less

This was on a theme shelf at my local library (for No-Shave November, because beards) and it's been something I've been wanting to do more research on for some time (Norse Mythology, not No-Shave).

A great overview of Norse Mythology listed alphabetically like any good encyclopedia with focus pages on Norse Heroes, the Valkyries, Rings of Power, Tragic Lovers, and of course Ragnarok. Many of the stories shared in each character section repeat just because the character mentioned was only in show more one myth and the story is covered in the entries for others involved in the story (the entry for Fafnir covers the same incidence covered in the entry for Siegfried, for example). Still a well researched collection that works perfectly as a jumping off point for anyone interested in the old Norse tales. show less

Not quite what I was looking for. I’m trying to follow up on various earlier discussions about the use of the horse in antiquity, so I figured a book titled Chariot would be a sure thing. Unfortunately, this is more of a history of the times and places where chariots were in use, rather than a history of chariot warfare. Author Arthur Cotterell goes on wide digressions, including the chariot in the Mahabharata, Byzantine chariot racing, the chariot in the Roman triumph, and so on. show more


Cotterell contends that the chariot as a war machine was always used as a mobile archery platform. This is fairly sure for Egyptian and Indian chariots, not quite as plausible for Hittite and Chinese chariots, and pretty dubious for Mycenaean chariots. No Mycenaean chariot examples exist; everything is based on contemporary depictions and literature. All know depictions show Mycenaean chariots with the axle under the center of the car, unlike Egyptian chariots with the axle far to the rear. This would have made the Mycenaean chariot unstable in high speed maneuvers – but suitable for slow turns in tight spaces. The Iliad consistently describes the chariot as a battle taxi – hauling the spear-equipped warrior up to the front, then turned around in readiness to extract him in case of retreat. Cotterell’s arguments for Mycenaean archery chariots are based on the claim that this is what everybody else in the Bronze Age was using theirs for, and also on the slaughter of the suitors at the end of the Odyssey. The idea was Odysseus’ use of the bow was a holdover from an earlier version of the epic, and Homer had to keep it in after warfare styles had changed. Don’t think I buy that.


Nevertheless, there’s a lot of interesting stuff about Indian and Chinese warfare; these are periods I’m not at all familiar with and I am now inspired to do further reading. Fortunately, one of the major strongpoints of Chariot is the outstanding bibliography; not only is there a book list, but references are discussed at length with suggestions for which would be most suitable for an overview and which have details. Sort of kind of recommended. show less