The Terra Cotta Army

The Terra Cotta Army by John Man is a gripping and richly researched narrative that traces the discovery and excavation of the thousands of life size clay soldiers buried with China's first emperor and explores what they reveal about ancient Chinese power, ritual and craft. Man combines on site reporting, archaeological evidence and historical sources to bring to life the ambitions of Qin Shi Huang, the construction of his mausoleum, the artistry and organization behind the figures and the modern challenges of conservation and interpretation. Accessible to general readers, the book illuminates the political and cultural context of the Qin dynasty while recounting the human stories of archaeologists, villagers and looters who have shaped the site's fate.