1973年《人類偉大時代：古代中國》愛德華·謝弗著 Great Ages of Man: Ancient China by Edward H. Schafer (1973 Time-Life Books Reprint, Hardcover)

## 內容簡介 / Synopsis

 Part of Time-Life Books' acclaimed Great Ages of Man series, Ancient China offers an elegant and comprehensive exploration of one of the world’s oldest continuous civilizations. Authored by the renowned sinologist Edward H. Schafer, the book is structured into eight illuminating chapters that balance historical narrative with thematic picture essays. It traces China from its mythic beginnings as "The Middle Kingdom" through bronze-age warfare, philosophical and religious flowerings ("Hallowed Ways"), imperial poetry, and the artistic heights of the Tang Dynasty. Lavishly illustrated with full-color plates of exquisite museum artifacts, ancient landscape scrolls, and custom historical maps like "Under Heaven," this volume serves as a brilliant visual and textual testament to China’s classical legacy.

本書屬於 Time-Life（時代生活出版公司）著名的《人類偉大時代》（Great Ages of Man）系列，對世界上最古老且延續至今的文明之一進行了極具深度與美感的探索。由著名漢學家愛德華·謝弗（Edward H. Schafer）撰寫，全書分為八個精彩章節，將宏大的歷史敘事與專題圖片論文完美結合。書中帶領讀者從「中原帝國」的神話起源出發，歷經青銅時代的戰火、哲學與宗教的興起（「神聖之道」）、宮廷詩歌的繁榮，直至唐代的藝術巔峰。書內收錄了大量博物館級珍貴文物、古代山水畫卷的全彩插圖，並附有如「天下」等精美的歷史地緣地圖，是展現中國古典文化遺產的極佳文獻。

## 歷史背景與重要性 / Historical Background & Significance

This volume is highly distinguished by its creators. The author, Dr. Edward H. Schafer, was a legendary Professor of Oriental Languages at the University of California, Berkeley, and a preeminent authority on Tang Dynasty culture. The volume was developed under the consulting editorship of Dr. Leonard Krieger, a renowned Professor of History at Columbia and Yale universities. This convergence of elite academic oversight ensures that the text transcends general popular history, offering profound insights into Chinese cosmology, systemic philosophy, and global interactions. For collectors of historical sinology, this book represents a milestone in 20th-century Western historical publishing, translating dense academic scholarship into an accessible, visually stunning masterpiece.

本書在學術界與出版界皆享有極高聲譽。作者愛德華·謝弗博士（Edward H. Schafer）是加州大學伯克利分校傳奇的東方語言學教授，也是西方公認的唐代文化研究權威。同時，本書由哥倫比亞大學和耶魯大學歷史學名教授倫納德·克里格博士（Dr. Leonard Krieger）擔任顧問編輯。頂尖漢學家與歷史學者的思想碰撞，使本書超越了普通的通俗歷史讀物，對中國古代的宇宙觀、系統哲學以及對外關係提出了深刻的見解。對於熱衷於歷史漢學發展的收藏家而言，這部著作代表了20th世紀西方歷史出版物的高峰，將精深的學術研究轉化為極具視覺震撼力的傳世傑作。

## 書本狀態 / Condition Report

 Excellent Collectible Condition (1973 Reprint). This volume features its original quarter-cloth binding with a beautifully textured, patterned hardboard cover that remains rigid and crisp. The spine exhibits bright, unblemished gold-gilt lettering with minimal shelf wear at the head and tail. Internally, the pages are clean, bright, and securely bound, completely free of annotations, highlighting, or foxing. The spectacular full-color endpapers, historic maps, and photographic layouts retain their original vibrancy and ink density. A superb example that has been exceptionally well-preserved on a scholar's shelf.

 極佳收藏品相（1973年印行）。 本書採用原裝書脊布面、封面硬紙板拼接的精裝設計，封面帶有精美的復古紋理，整體結構堅挺、邊角銳利。書脊上的燙金字體依舊光亮完好，僅在脊頭和脊尾有極輕微的書架陳設痕跡。內頁極其乾淨、爽脆且裝訂牢固，完全無任何劃線、塗鴉、塗改或自然狐斑。書前耳熟能詳的「天下」全彩歷史地圖、插圖及排版皆保持了極高的色彩飽和度與清晰度。這是一本在學者書架上得到妥善保存的精緻藏本。