Between Heaven And Earth: A History Of Chinese Writing

The history and evolution of Chinese writing is inseparable from the lives and legacies of China's emperors. For them, winning wars and adding to one's empire was made even more meaningful if a written record could be left behind - preferably in one's own style of writing.

In this book, master calligrapher Shi Bo explains the seven major stages of writing in China from as early as the seventeenth century BCE. The stages - Jiaguwen, Jinwen, Xiozhuan, Lishu, Kaishu, Caoshu, and Xingshu - represent seminal points in the development of Chinese ideographs. Shi Bo puts each stage in historical context with informative text and abundant original and archival illustrations.