How about the History of Chinese Civilization edited by Yuan Xingpei?

The History of Civilization in China (1-4) is an interdisciplinary academic work. The History of Chinese Civilization (volume 1-4) tries to make innovations and breakthroughs in theoretical system, academic viewpoints and research methods on the basis of existing research results, and especially devotes itself to the comprehensive research of multiple disciplines, involving literature, history, philosophy, archaeology, linguistics, religion, history of science and technology, history of cultural exchange between China and foreign countries, etc. , but it is not a simple combination of all kinds of special history. This book gives a general description of the development of Chinese civilization, focusing on those landmark achievements that have had a great impact on the progress of Chinese civilization and even the whole mankind, and reveals the law of the development of civilization.

The History of Chinese Civilization (volume 1-4) holds that human beings are not only the creators of civilization, but also the embodiment of its achievements. The history of civilization is not only the history of human creation, but also the history of human evolution. Civilization can be divided into three aspects: material civilization, political civilization and spiritual civilization, which respectively correspond to the relationship between man and nature, the way of human social organization and human spiritual world. The progress of civilization sometimes advances at the same time, sometimes one or two aspects are ahead, while others are relatively backward. The History of Chinese Civilization (Volume 1-4) centers on people and their creation, and takes material civilization, political civilization and spiritual civilization as the three pillars, systematically describing the evolution process of Chinese civilization, paying special attention to depicting the highlights in the process of civilization development with strong colors and highlighting those who have made great contributions to civilization development.

The author of The History of Chinese Civilization (volume 1-4) holds a realistic attitude. On the basis of studying a large number of documents and archaeological materials, he tried to accurately describe, textual research and summarize historical facts, which was embodied in theory. In the expression of words, we strive to combine history, discussion and talent.

The History of Civilization in China (volume 1-4) embodies an academic vision based on China and looking at the world. The study of the history of Chinese civilization cannot be divorced from the general pattern of world civilization, and we should strive to write down the characteristics of Chinese civilization in various periods and its position in the process of world civilization, its contribution to the world, and its absorption and reference to other civilizations in the world. Compared with other ancient civilizations in the world, Chinese civilization is the only one that has never been interrupted. Chinese civilization has shown tenacious vitality and great cohesion in the process of development. The History of Chinese Civilization (volume 1-4) explores the reasons for the continuous continuation of Chinese civilization and analyzes its rich and profound ideological connotation.

This book breaks the practice of staging simply according to the change of dynasties, focusing on the development process and stages of civilization itself, and is divided into four periods:

From ancient times to Xia, Shang and Zhou Dynasties, it was the first period of the development of Chinese civilization. This book puts forward the concept of "pre-summer" and calls it the dawn period of Chinese civilization. The existence of the Xia Dynasty is proved by a large number of archaeological data. The Xia, Shang and Zhou Dynasties are called the first peak of Chinese civilization, which laid a pluralistic and integrated pattern of Chinese civilization and formed its basic characteristics. This book discusses the symbolic achievements of three generations in detail, and makes a new exposition on the splendid bronze culture, the rapid development of iron smelting technology and the application of iron, the rise and development of metropolis and commerce, the origin and development of Chinese characters, and religious beliefs, education and academics, literature and art, etc. , are a combination of literature and newly unearthed cultural relics.

Qin, Han, Wei, Jin, Southern and Northern Dynasties is the second period of China's civilization history. This book focuses on the formation of a multi-ethnic unified country; The abolition of enfeoffment system and the establishment of county system; The unity of words. Fully affirmed the centralized political system and private ownership of landlord land. The rise of Confucian classics, the prosperity of historiography, the invention of papermaking, the opening of the western regions, the introduction of Buddhism and the rise of Taoism are all described in detail. It also deeply explains the rapid economic and cultural development in the south due to the first great ethnic integration in the Southern and Northern Dynasties and the southward migration of the Central Plains population. The rise of metaphysics, the consciousness of literature and the elegance of art have also become the highlights of this period.

The third period is from Sui and Tang Dynasties to the middle of Ming Dynasty. This book focuses on the significance of the country moving from division to unity again, emphasizing the role of cultural integration between North and South and cultural exchanges between China and foreign countries in the development of Chinese civilization. The blending of North and South and the exchange between China and foreign countries have achieved another peak in the history of Chinese civilization. The brilliant achievements of Tang poetry reflect the overall level of Tang civilization and the spirit of the times. The rise of the middle and lower classes of civilian landlords and the implementation of the imperial examination system pushed the cultural center of gravity down. The prosperity of urban economy and urban culture after the middle Tang Dynasty has brought a new breath to Chinese civilization. The prosperity of Zen provides an example for the blending of local ideas and foreign ideas. Song Dynasty is another peak in the history of civilization in this period: the further prosperity of urban economy, the improvement of civil service system and the improvement of the overall education level of society all surpassed that of Tang Dynasty. Neo-Confucianism, which rose in the Song Dynasty, is a milestone in the history of China's thoughts. The high achievements of literature and art in the Song Dynasty, especially Song Ci, are breathtaking. Science and technology developed rapidly in Song Dynasty, and it was in a leading position in the world at that time. The invention and wide application of printing is an event of world significance in the history of civilization. The Mongols in Yuan Dynasty entered the Central Plains and became a dynasty of great ethnic integration. The Yuan Dynasty made great contributions to the development and construction of the frontier. The Confucian culture in Yuan Dynasty was impacted, but the zaju, southern opera, vernacular novels and calligraphy and painting all made outstanding achievements. The development of civilization in the early Ming Dynasty was relatively slow, but the achievements of vernacular novels were outstanding. Zheng He's voyage to the West is a feat in the history of human navigation and Chinese and foreign transportation, which was earlier than Columbus's famous ocean voyage.

From the middle of Ming Dynasty to the end of Qing Dynasty is the fourth period of China's civilization history. This book emphasizes the epoch-making significance of the mid-Ming dynasty, and secularization, commercialization and personalization have become a trend. Accordingly, Wang Xue's left wing rose, flaunting his personality, affirming people's desires and attacking Neo-Confucianism asceticism, which opened the way for ideological emancipation, and the whole society showed an atmosphere of personality liberation. At the same time, foreign trade is growing rapidly, and the overall level of China's economy is in a leading position in the world. During the reign of Kangxi, Yongzheng and Qianlong in Qing Dynasty, China reached the acme of economic and social development under the original system. The "Prosperous Age of Kanggan" lasted for more than 100 years, and the total economic output ranked first in the world at that time, with a long-term surplus in foreign trade. Academic culture presents a comprehensive trend. But it was during this period that European science and technology advanced by leaps and bounds, the industrial revolution promoted the all-round and rapid development of the western economy, and great changes took place in political culture. However, the feudal rulers in China were content with the status quo, closed to the outside world, corrupt and incompetent bureaucrats, and stuck to their laurels, which made China obviously lag behind in a short time. From the Opium War to the Revolution of 1911, the collision between Chinese and Western civilizations is the main landscape. On the one hand, people of insight in China seek the way for Qiang Bing to enrich the people from the west, save the nation and survive, and seek innovation and change from foreign countries has become the main theme of society; On the other hand, the weakness of national strength has also fully exposed the inherent defects of traditional civilization, and the reflection and criticism of tradition has become the strong voice of the times. The Revolution of 1911 ended thousands of years of feudal dynasty rule, and Chinese civilization began a new journey.

Chinese civilization has a long history, extensive and profound, and has experienced disasters and continued. With the increasing international status of China, the history of Chinese civilization and its development have attracted more and more attention from academic circles at home and abroad. The History of Chinese Civilization (volume 1-4) attempts to inspire readers to think about the development direction of future civilization on the basis of summing up historical experience. This book emphasizes that the development trend of Chinese civilization in modern times can be summarized as opening the door to the world. Opening the door is to absorb the outstanding achievements of civilization created by other nationalities in the world while maintaining their own national traditions; Going to the world is to bring the fine traditions of our nation into the trend of world civilization. Until today, opening the door to the world is still a historical task to be completed.

Under the current trend of economic globalization, it is particularly important to study the history of China's civilization. The conclusions drawn in this book have certain practical significance: first, we should inherit and carry forward the fine traditions of Chinese civilization, and at the same time welcome more extensive and profound cultural exchanges accompanied by economic globalization, and actively absorb all outstanding achievements of human civilization. Secondly, Chinese civilization should go to the world more actively, actively introduce the outstanding achievements of Chinese civilization to the world, especially carry forward the concept of harmony of Chinese civilization and make greater contributions to the progress of human civilization. Third, we must adhere to the diversity and autonomy of civilization and establish a civilized ecology that conforms to social progress and human development.

Since 1999, with the support of the "985" project of the Ministry of Education, Peking University has selected 36 experts and scholars from four fields: literature, history, philosophy and archaeology. After nearly seven years of painstaking research and unremitting efforts, he finally completed this academic work that systematically expounded the development of Chinese civilization. In the past seven years, the Institute of Sinology of Peking University has held more than 60 seminars (nearly 30 issues of work briefing have been compiled) during the winter and summer vacations and holidays. The overall plan, compilation points, compilation style and chapter arrangement of the book, the content outline, the first draft, the second draft, and even the third and fourth drafts have all been discussed and revised. Each seminar is a multidisciplinary and complementary academic platform. Participants express their opinions, argue with each other, inspire each other and brainstorm. Peking University National Studies Institute also attaches great importance to humanized management when setting up a team, respecting and mobilizing the enthusiasm and creativity of every scholar, respecting both the academic personality of scholars and the editing right of the editor-in-chief. Everyone sincerely said: "Participating in the compilation of the History of Chinese Civilization, just like systematically studying the history of civilization, is a very pleasant work experience and a rare learning opportunity, which has benefited a lot."