BOOK REVIEW

Book Report: The Daily Life in China on the Eve of the Mongol Invasion



Book Report: The Daily Life in China on the Eve of the Mongol Invasion

Introduction

The purpose of this study is to expand the boundaries of our knowledge by exploring some relevant facts relating to the book: the daily life in china on the eve of the Mongol invasion, by Jacques Gernet. The author was born in Algiers in 1921. After classical studies and participation in the war against Germany and its allies, he was a member of the French School of Far East in Hanoi, and from 1955 to 1976, director of studies at the sixth section the EPHE later became the EHESS, professor at the Sorbonne and the University of Paris VII. He held from 1975 to 1992 the chair of social and intellectual history of China at the College de France. He is a member of the Institute since 1979. His works have been translated into many languages .

This book is a famous French Sinology master, the French Academy Gernet's masterpieces. Detailed description of the history of China as a special period of lower-class people's lives is presented in the book. The formation of the Mongol invasion of the great Chinese Empire for a heavy blow, the Empire was the world's richest and most advanced countries. Every major aspect of life during this period is treated with meticulous exactitude. The picture that emerges is of absorbing interest. The real value of the book lies in its particularity, a richness of detail which is yet never allowed to get out of hand. It gives an unrivalled glimpse into Chinese society as it was seven hundred years ago and is certain to remain a minor classic of sinology for many years to come . In the next section, we will examine the book with reference to history of China and the Mongolian invasion.

Discussion & Analysis

The author, Jacques Gernet has provided a comprehensive analysis of history China and the aspects that led to the Mongolian Invasion. The peaceful era in the reign of the Tang and Sui abruptly cut short when a north-country attack the Mongols led by Genghis Khan (1155-1227). They moved to the south across the Gobi Desert and east across the wide steppes, extending the boundaries of his dominion. After the death of Genghis Khan's Mongol kingdom extended to the entire inner Asia to the Caspian Sea. Three centuries of Mongol tribes threatened to seize the southern lands of China - the birthplace of cultivators and traffickers. There were silks and brocades, made of iron and bronze, and stocks of provisions made by Chinese farmers, especially rice and millet. Nomads staged raids into the land, taking away the loot in the steppe. In 1211 Genghis Khan summoned his generals to declare their intention to conquer the powerful kingdom of Chin, of great riches, inventions, and defensive works which told the visiting merchants .

Each region has its own particular ...