History books that are usually serious are becoming popular now in China thanks to the way they are being retold with simple and interesting approaches. These kinds of books have now jumped to the top of bestseller lists.

Sales of Commentary on the Three Kingdoms by Yi Zhongtian have surpassed one million, while more than 10,000 websites rave about Stories from the Ming Dynasty by Dangnian Mingyue.

TV has been a huge influence on the revival of interest in history books. "Baijia Jiangtan," or "Lecture Room," on China Central Television is a prominent factor. Professors Yi Zhongtian, Ji Lianhai, Yan Chongnian's simple and interesting ways of telling stories on the program captivate audiences and arouse their interest and desire to read more about history.

In addition, history books help connect readers with history. "I have read a lot research on history. History itself is very interesting and fabulous, but I hate obscure books. The current books absorb many modern facts to accommodate people's reading habits," Dangnian Mingyue said.

Other popular "new history" books include Record of the Ming Dynasty (Diguo Zhengjie Wangshi) by Li Yaping, Genghis Khan and the Form of Today's World (Chengji Sihan he Jinri Shijie zhi Xingcheng) by Yao Dali and Hidden Rules (Qian Guize) by Wu Si.

(CRI September 23, 2006)