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Terra Cotta Warriors: Guardians of China's First Emperor
Often described as the eighth Wonder of the World, the massive, underground army made from fired clay evokes both awe and curiosity. Who was this powerful Emperor of the Qin Dynasty who needed these warriors to guard him in the afterlife? How were nearly 8,000 figures made on such a vast scale so long ago?
This lovely little book, based on the latest research, brings the terra cotta warriors to life in 52 astonishing images. Like the millions of visitors to the on-site museum who see the figures in person, readers will marvel at the cavalry, archers, and infantry; lowly foot soldiers and high-ranking officers; figures of varying ages, with different hairstyles and unique facial expressions, seemingly representing many ethnic groups in China.
The soldiers are spread across a number of pits at the tomb site, on the outskirts of present-day Xi’an, where new discoveries are made every year. Archaeologists predict that it may take longer to excavate the First Emperor’s tomb complex than the approximately thirty-six years it took to build it, as new techniques of conservation and scientific research are introduced. Though the tomb was known from Chinese written record for thousands of years, there was no record of the terra cotta army. The surprise of this discovery still endures, and mounts with each page turned.
This lovely little book, based on the latest research, brings the terra cotta warriors to life in 52 astonishing images. Like the millions of visitors to the on-site museum who see the figures in person, readers will marvel at the cavalry, archers, and infantry; lowly foot soldiers and high-ranking officers; figures of varying ages, with different hairstyles and unique facial expressions, seemingly representing many ethnic groups in China.
The soldiers are spread across a number of pits at the tomb site, on the outskirts of present-day Xi’an, where new discoveries are made every year. Archaeologists predict that it may take longer to excavate the First Emperor’s tomb complex than the approximately thirty-six years it took to build it, as new techniques of conservation and scientific research are introduced. Though the tomb was known from Chinese written record for thousands of years, there was no record of the terra cotta army. The surprise of this discovery still endures, and mounts with each page turned.
96 pages, Hardcover
First published February 28, 2007
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
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January 21, 2011Qin Shi Huangdi (秦始皇帝), the first emperor of unified China, is best known today for the thousands of terracotta warriors buried near his mausoleum. These three titles cover diverse aspects of his life, death, and legacy. While Wood’s book is the much more absorbing read, Man’s includes two sections of beautiful color plates. The First Emperor: China's Terracotta Army, published to accompany an exhibition at the British Museum, is lavishly illustrated with photos and diagrams, and gives the most insight into the construction and meaning of the tomb sites.
May 28, 2020
During this covid-19 pandemic I'm going again into my library and spending time with books I love. This wonderful book that shares brief history of the first Emperor and his terracotta warriors, administrators and entertainers in his burial mound is portrayed in stark, finely detailed, photographs. It has been described as the eighth wonder of the world and does earn that title in my book!
June 1, 2020
I took my Dad to the exhibition on 30th September 2007, he was only with us for another two years, but he loved the exhibition and bought me this book (I bought him a figure for his birthday, which I now own too).
A lovely book, with great pictures and explanations that is a great reminder of one of my all time favourite exhibitions.
A lovely book, with great pictures and explanations that is a great reminder of one of my all time favourite exhibitions.
July 12, 2017
A small book which I bought when I went to the exhibition at the British Museum. Briefly tells how the warriors were discovered, then shows examples of the different ranks, horses, entertainers, officials and animals, together with many photographic examples. A nice reminder of how much I enjoyed the exhibition.
January 19, 2025
A good start...
Beautiful visuals which will give you the picture of the whole history.
There are much deeper books that will help to understand more once you complete this to get the gist.
Beautiful visuals which will give you the picture of the whole history.
There are much deeper books that will help to understand more once you complete this to get the gist.
October 31, 2025
Short read, great pics, research continues as they encounter more.
December 30, 2012
British Museum catalogue to accompany the First Emperor: China;s Terracotta Army exhibition. Lots of lavish photos of the items on display plus descriptions and 6 essays giving context for the first emperor and the making of China, the rise of the Qin and military conquests and the terracotta army.
January 3, 2009
As my first folk art love is pottery, the creation of these pottery pieces fascinates me! The exhibit at The High is great!
March 29, 2010
A small, well-selected set of photos from a traveling exhibit, with insightful exlpanations of distinctions among figures in dress, hair styles, relative size and posture.
February 1, 2016
beautiful glimpse of these wonderful warriors
December 27, 2016
A short, pretty, and informative guide to the Terra-cotta warriors. Not much pizazz, but fine for a quick introduction.
November 5, 2025
I found this book very interesting to read. I would like to do more research to see what else has been discovered since the book was published in the 2000s.
January 6, 2016
Don't know why I had not come across this book sooner. A fantastic read.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews