Books

The Emperor's Silent Army: Terracotta Warriors of Ancient China

Average customer rating:

The story of the 7,5000 warriors who guard Qin, China's first emperor
Hidden arrows, Poisoned King, and Buried Treasure!

The Emperor's Silent Army: Terracotta Warriors of Ancient China
Jane O'Connor
Manufacturer: Viking Juvenile
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Australia & Oceania | History & Historical Fiction | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

Military & Wars | History & Historical Fiction | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

China | Ancient | History | Subjects | Books

General | Australia & Oceania | History | Subjects | Books

Look Inside Children's Books | Trip | Specialty Stores | Books

Look Inside History Books | Trip | Specialty Stores | Books

Look Inside Teen Books | Trip | Specialty Stores | Books
Similar Items:

The Terracotta Army of the First Emperor of China
The Terracotta Warriors: The Secret Codes of the Emperor's Army
The Great Wall Of China (Aladdin Picture Books)
Confucius: Golden Rule, The
Made in China: Ideas and Inventions from Ancient China (Dragon Bks)

ASIN: 0670035122

Customer Reviews:

The story of the 7,5000 warriors who guard Qin, China's first emperor.......2006-03-21

While on vacation in China, Jane O'Connor visited the thousands of life-sized terracotta warrior statues discovered near the tomb on an emperor in northern China. She was inspired to find out more about both the army of ghostly gray warriors and the man who had ordered their creation. But as O'Connor read everything available about the first emperor and his buried army she discovered that a book on the subject had not yet been written for children. "The Emperor's Silent Army: Terracotta Warriors of Ancient China" rectifies that mistake.

In March 1974 three farmers digging a well near the city of Xian in Lintong County of the People's Republic of China, discovered the clay head of a "pottery man." Neither the farmers nor the archaeologists who arrived to investigate the figure had ever seen anything similar to the life-like figure, and where astounded to discover dozens, and then hundreds and finally thousands of these terracotta figures. When the excavation was done, an army of 7,500 soldiers and horses has been uncovered (so far), after being buried for more than 2,200 years. The life-size figures weighed as much as four hundred pounds each and wore knee-length robes, armor made from small iron "fish scales," and elaborate topknot hairdos (the low-ranking infantrymen did not wear armor). The figures stand at attention and archaeologists also found the hundreds of real bronze swords, daggers, battle-axes, and arrowheads, these silent warriors were carrying.

After sharing the story of the discovery of the figures, O'Connor tells the story of Qin Shihuang, the divine Son of Heaven, who was the first emperor or China. Qin was a paranoid tyrant, and fearing that grave robbers would loot the treasures in his tomb after he died. O'Connor talks about the measures Qin took to protect his final resting place, which included the terracotta figures, stationed in underground trenches, less than a mile from the tomb. The details about the figures, as to why they do not wear helmets or shields and why they are facing east, are quite interesting. There is logic to their arrangement that O'Connor is able to explain, a well as the difference between the 350 chariot horses and the more than 100 cavalry horses. There are more than forty full-color photographs in the book, which help to distinguish between the different types of warriors. The only disappointment here is that there are not more such photographs.

One of the most amazing things about the figures is that of the two thousand unearthed at the time O'Connor's book was published, no two had been discovered to be the same. The figures represent different ages, different parts of China, and even different temperaments. A colored computer image shows how one of the figures would have looked originally when it was painted. Another fascinating section has to do with modern artisans making replicas, following the techniques of 2,200 years ago, to help archeologists understand how the original figures were created. The final chapters of the book are devoted to what it was like inside the Emperor's tomb, where the body may be wearing a jade funeral suit (the government has no intention of actually opening the tomb and looking, but other tombs have been opened in the past to five us some ideas), and Qin's legacy, which is mainly the first Great Wall of China that he had made with a workforce of half a million slave laborers working for a dozen years. However, it would be Qin's silent army that is probably most responsible for what immortality the first emperor possesses today. Seeing them in person would be an unforgettable experience, and O'Connor's book does an excellent job of making that impression on her readers, young and old alike.

Hidden arrows, Poisoned King, and Buried Treasure!.......2002-11-15

Rich with exciting historical details, The Emperor's Silent Army: Terracotta Warriors of Ancient China by Jane O'Connor offers a well-researched book that tantalizes the reader with tales of a poisoned King, a camouflaged dead body, and a booby-trapped tomb. The targeted audience of ages 9-12 will thrill with the adventure while simultaneously profiting from their newfound knowledge of China's first Emperor, Qin Shihuang, and his war and burial customs. Heavily strewn with color photographs, computer images, maps, drawings, and charts, the book easily captures interest and successfully holds attention with its succinct wording and short chapters that directly complement the images.
Jane O'Connor's career spanning roles as editor-at-large, president of mass market children's books at Penguin, and prolific author is crowned by her most recent gem, The Emperor's Silent Army: Terracotta Warriors of Ancient China. Realizing that no children's books had thoroughly documented the world wonder discovered in China, O'Connor successfully fills the void. This book is a must for any library!
The only negative aspect is that the book fails to be part of a larger history series since once the book is read, the reader will want to read more. The detailed bibliography and author's note provide a scope for further reading on the Terracotta Warriors, but readers will long to learn the same concise and tantalizing information on other subjects as well! Hopefully, Jane O'Connor will follow with more books to engage children and adults since The Emperor's Silent Army: Terracotta Warriors of Ancient China masterfully explores its subject.

Revenge in the Silent Tomb (Race Against Time, No. 1)

Average customer rating:

excellent
"Race Against Time" will have your hearts racing!!

Revenge in the Silent Tomb (Race Against Time, No. 1)
J.J. Fortune
Manufacturer: Laurel Leaf
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback

Adventure & Thrillers | Literature & Fiction | Teens | Subjects | Books

Look Inside Teen Books | Trip | Specialty Stores | Books
ASIN: 044097707X
Release Date: 1983-12-01

Customer Reviews:

excellent.......2006-06-02

This was the first in the Race Against Time series and got me hooked. Uncle Richard and Stephen made a great team. They would always wind up in some sort of exotic locale for their adventures. This time they were in the Sahara desert. The book effectively introduces the two characters and their ulta-cool Kronom KD2 watches. (Imagine a James Bond-type gadget on your wrist) It also introduces them to each other. They were battling a bunch of bad guys who were threatening a movie shoot. If you are into pre-teen adventure, this book might be for you. I remember it fondly.

"Race Against Time" will have your hearts racing!!.......2001-12-15

THE PLACE: "The shifting sands of the Sahara, where a blockbuster movie is being made - and an unknown killer is doing the shooting."

THE RACE: "Fearless stuntwoman Lorelei Blake discovers real-life drama with Stephen Lane and his Uncle Richard, pitted against Ali Ben Kir, merciless overlord of the desert... in a secret tomb turned into a deathtrap."

"The Race Against Time" series are so fantastic and fun to read! Though this is the first book of the series, I must say it isn't one of the best so I had to give the book 4 stars. I always love how Uncle Richard always seems to 'get the girl', which happens to be Lorelei Blake in this book, "Revenge in the Silent Tomb". The best thing of the are Uncle Richard's and Stephen's watches. They're sooooooo cool though I can't say too much about them, you'll have to read the books yourself. The watches are very much like 007's gadgets but the watches can do a lot more!

Though these books are hard to find, if you ever happen to find them, I strongly recommend these books for kids 9 and up! Total fun enjoyment!

The roaring market and the silent tomb
Average customer rating:
The roaring market and the silent tomb
James Erwin Schevill
Manufacturer: Abbey Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding

General | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books
ASIN: B0007EN1BY

Average customer rating:

Soviet Sunken Nuclear Weapons in Canadian Waters

SILENT TOMB
Jim Karch
Manufacturer: 1st Books Library
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Contemporary | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books
Action & Adventure | Genre Fiction | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books
Spy Stories & Tales of Intrigue | Thrillers | Mystery & Thrillers | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 1410725685

Customer Reviews:

Soviet Sunken Nuclear Weapons in Canadian Waters.......2003-07-17

In today's world ideas like this capture our attention. Jim Karch has woven an intriguing mystery with many twists and turns. It has the same believability and suspense of the most popular mystery novels written today. The story takes place in the waters of British Columbia. The authors knowledge of this area and the problems encountered in these and similar waters, brings a level of authenticity that anyone who has done any boating will appreciate. The attention to technical details and the depth of character development kept my interest throughout the book. The author introduces many characters but the story is written in a simple style that is easy to read and follow. The similarities to world events that have happened recently make certain parts especially chilling. I know I've read a good story when I can't stop till I find out what happens in the end.

Average customer rating:

REVENGE IN THE SILENT TOMB
JJ Fortune
Manufacturer: Dell
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000HQNL58

Books:

Books