Beginnings

I am very much interested in ancient China, but do not have much knowledge. I took a 2 semester course on Asian history to modern times, but the scope was very broad. Other than the first chapters in my textbook, I have an old text of my husband's -- A short History of the Chinese People and Records of the Grand Historian translated by Burton Watson. I haven't delved into the former yet and the second has been difficult.

I really need a starting place. What books would anyone recommend to give a solid grounding in the subject? My Chinese reading ability is limited to the words "我," "愛" and "不," so I need English.

Thanks.
~Faith

One suggestion for a short but very thought-provoking introduction to ancient China:

Joseph R. Levenson and Franz Schurmann, China: An Interpretive History.

The most thorough is the Cambridge History of Ancient China. The only problem is the price, even used it runs about $150.00. I have been reading sections for about 2 years and the scholarship is excellent. It is also broken down into sections that encourage topical reading.

Thank you, both pechmerle and wildbill

I put the Levenson & Schurmann book on my list to get after the holidays (if no one picks it off my wish list). The Cambridge is a little too pricey for me. Maybe I can get it at the public library. If not there I'm pretty sure the university library must have it.

>3 wildbill: I bit the bullet and bought Wildbill's recommended, "The Cambridge History of Ancient China." I can't wait for it to arrive. It is in English, supplemented with Chinese characters