The events of China's history and origins of its society are inextricably linked to its varied mythology and folklore, reflecting the warring dynasties and the vast landscapes of the country, where distant mountains, and long, winding rivers dominated the sight-lines of ancient peoples. A brand new, highly readable history by Scott Crawford, Chinese Ancient Origins surveys the events, cultural practices, political developments, beliefs, key individuals and roots of ancient China, from the earliest known prehistory through the collapse of the Qin dynasty (206 BCE). This span of history allows the reader to follow a clear line from the origin of humanity in China to the incipient forms of organization, then onward to feudalism and to the founding of the imperial era - a form of government persisting into the twentieth century. An ideal companion to Flame Tree's Chinese Myths & Legends.

Flame Tree Collector's Editions present the foundations of speculative fiction: authors, myths, tales and history without which the imaginative literature of the twentieth century would not exist, bringing the best, most influential and most fascinating works into a striking and collectable library. Each book features a new Introduction and a Glossary of Terms or lists of Ancient Leaders.