QUOTE(Generic @ Nov 19 2006, 10:49 AM) [snapback]4862105[/snapback]
Beckwith, Christopher. "Tibetan Empire In Central Asia" [while the author focused on Tibet, you could still learn a thing or two about Tang's foreign policy in central Asia. However, as some members pointed out, the author shown bias toward Chinese sources. Not the easiest book to read]
I would not use so harsh a word as "biased" for Beckwith's book. I think he merely chooses to take another perspective on the Tang Chinese: instead of glorifying the conquests of the Tang and painting them as having a unprecedented string of military successes, he chooses to show the ugly side of Chinese imperialism and it's many military failures. It is a valid side to show, and a story worth telling.
I do have a problem with his book, though. As I've stated in my review of "The Tibetan Empire In Central Asia", this book has little to do with Tibet. I almost feel cheated by Beckwith; he advertises the book as focusing on Tibet, yet more than (in my estimate) 3/4 of the book focuses on Turkic or Chinese history.