Ciarla, Roberto (editor), De Luca, Araldo (photography of), The Eternal army: the terracotta soldiers of the first Chinese emperor, Vercelli, Edizioni White Star, 2005 (also in Italian version).


Qin Shi Huang Di's Eternal army continues to guard the mistery of one of the most controversial figures in history. Arrayed in silent and immobile ranks for 22 centuries, they have remained faithful beyond the grave, as the emperor would have whised. Despite the constantly growing number and exceptional quality af find in the enormous imperial funeral complex, scholars are still puzzled as to the real personality of the unifer of China - was he a cruel tryant, as suggested by historical sources, a crazed magalomaniac, or one of the most capable, innovative and determined rulers in history? - and what exacly was the purpose of his impressive buried army.
This far ranging and clearly written book presents the findings of acknowledged experts as tehy seek to provide answers to the many fascinanting questions, placing this exceptional heritage in its historical, archaeological and artistic context, retracting the roots of Qin Shi Huang Di's great political design and analyzing the cultural and philosophical panorama of the period before the first unifiction of China. The Eternal Army not only presents the wholly individualized faces of the great officers, horsemen, archers, and foot soldiers of the terracotta army, but also sketches a revealing portrait of an uncommon man and the nation that he managed to create, fulfilling an ancient dream destined to survive unlterated to the present day.




In print also at Barnes and Noble.







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