The Birth of China

The Birth of China

Herrlee Glessner Creel wrote The Birth of China. The book was published in 1937 at Frederick Lungar Publishing in New York City. Creel was born in Chicago, Illinois on January 15 1905. Both Creel’s mother and father were writers. Creel attended the University of Oklahoma, Creighton University, and finally the University of Chicago where he received his Ph.D. in 1929. In 1922 he worked as a newspaper reporter and later became a Sinologist discovering oracle bones that dated back to 3,000 years. Eventually, Creel became a Professor of Chinese History and Literature at the University of Chicago. Creel died in June of 1994, he was then living in Parlos Park, Illinois. His books have been published in England, France, Japan, Italy, and Spain. He wrote once that, “My principal concern is to understand the origins and the early history of humanity’s most continually enduring civilization, that of China.”

The first section of this book talks about the true discovery of china. Creel notes that until the late 1800’s and early 1900’s with the discovery of China’s magnificent marble sculptures and oracle bones, we had to rely on tradition and legend for the knowledge of the Chinese people. He goes on to talk about the excavation of Chinese artifacts and finally the origin of the Chinese people. In the second section Creel goes on to the talk about the great city of Shang. The Shang were the first people known Chinese history. That period in time is now referred to as the Shang Dynasty. He discuses there livelihood, handicrafts, sculpture and bronze, society, war, writing, their gods, and talks about sacrifice. Finally, in the last section, Creel talks about the Chou Dynasty. A huge advance in civilized living gave him a chance to discuss China’s early politics, literature, marriage, family, business, religion, and law.

This book got many great reviews. Collectively they all described this book as well written, colorful, and exciting. Alan Priest of the “New York Times” wrote, “Mr. Creel produced a most interesting study of the life and culture of a civilization…” Mr. Priest was not alone in his review of the book. Yet, another review of this book comes from and unknown author with “Time” magazine.