5,000 Years of History in 140 Pages

The Great Wall of China, which stretches over 1,400 miles from the Yellow Sea to the Gobi Desert, was built more than 2,000 years ago and is the only manufactured structure visible from the surface of the moon.

But China’s great symbol of its people’s spirit and determination to control their own destiny has been around only two-fifths of the country’s long history.

In his new book, Y.N. Chang of Santa Ana examines 5,000 years of Chinese history--”the longest civilization--with the longest written record--known to man.”

While it’s easy to imagine a book on 50 centuries of Chinese history checking in at 1,000 pages and weighing 10 pounds, Chang’s done it in a 140-page paperback volume.

“Dragon’s Tale: A New Look at the 5,000 Years of Chinese History” (Press-Tige Publishing; $14.95) offers an overview of Chinese history--from its prehistoric period through 11 dynasties to modern days under Communist rule.

But what sounds like a major challenge--compressing 5,000 years of history into one slim volume--was not.

“It was very easy,” said Chang, 79, a retired business consultant and former professor of Chinese history and political science at Chapman University. He said his research consisted of scouring several dozen Chinese history books--both in English and in Chinese--and then he “simply and logically structured” the material.

His bottom line: “My book is written for the general American public, not university students or the research people.”

Given China’s significant place in the world, America’s increasing trade with China and this country’s growing Asian American population, Chang says, the interest is there.

Besides, he says, American history dates back only to 1776. “When you look at 5,000 years, it makes Americans curious: What is that? How did they do it? Who made it? Who are the great rulers? Who are the bad rulers? Who are the great, outstanding men and women?”

Chang, who was born in the city of Chengtu in Szechuan province in southwest China, spent 30 years in China working for the government during and after World War II and another 40 years in the United States as a business executive, academician and entrepreneur.

“Dragon’s Tale” is his sixth published book. In “Small Footsteps, Giant Shadows,” published by Press-Tige last year, he provided biographical sketches of 50 “outstanding” women in Chinese history.

Y.N. Chang will sign “Dragon’s Tale” at Barnes & Noble in The Marketplace, 13712 Jamboree Road, Irvine. 7:30 p.m. Thursday. (714) 508-9707.

Coming Up:

Diane Pershing will discuss “using acting techniques to develop characters” and “layering the scene” at the National Writers Assn. luncheon meeting at 10 a.m. Saturday at the Claim Jumper restaurant, 18050 Brookhurst St., Fountain Valley. $18 for prepaid members; $20 at the door; first-time guests, $10. (562) 431-7795.

* Earlene Fowler will read and sign “Seven Sisters” at Barnes & Noble in Metro Pointe, 901 South Coast Drive, Costa Mesa. 2 p.m. today. (714) 444-0226. Fowler also will speak and sign at Coffee, Tea & Mystery, 11931 Valley View St., Garden Grove. 7 p.m. Thursday. (714) 898-2583. And she’ll be at Bookman Too, 19111 Beach Blvd., Huntington Beach. 4 p.m. Friday. (714) 596-1999.

* Dan Barton will discuss and sign “Killer Material” at Coffee, Tea & Mystery, 11931 Valley View St., Garden Grove. 1 p.m. today. (714) 898-2583.

* Catherine Cowan will read and sign “My Life With the Wave” and “My Friend the Piano” at Borders Books and Music in South Coast Plaza, 3333 Bear St., Costa Mesa. 2 p.m. today. (714) 432-7854.

* Yvonne Bowes will discuss and sign “100 Ways to Become a Successful Student” at Borders Books and Music in South Coast Plaza, 3333 Bear St., Costa Mesa. 7 p.m. Monday. (714) 432-7854.

* Tina Tessina will discuss and sign “The Unofficial Guide to Dating Again” at Barnes & Noble in Metro Pointe, 901 South Coast Drive, Costa Mesa. 7 p.m. Monday. (714) 444-0226.

* An Evening with Victor Villasenor (“Rain of Gold”) will be held in Cook Auditorium at Anaheim High School, 811 W. Lincoln Ave., Anaheim. 7 p.m. Tuesday. Free tickets are available at all Anaheim public libraries. (714) 765-1880.

* Kent Braithwaite will sign “The Wonderland Murders” at Barnes & Noble, 791 S. Main St., Orange. 7 p.m. Tuesday. (714) 558-0028.

* An open reading will be held at Alta Coffee House & Roasting Co., 506 31st St., Newport Beach. 8 p.m. Wednesday. (949) 675-0233.

* Sam McCarver will discuss and sign “The Case of Compartment 7” at Borders Books and Music, 25222 El Paseo, Mission Viejo. 7 p.m. Wednesday. (949) 367-0005.

* Harry Newman Jr. will read and sign “Turning 21: A Businessman’s Poetic Odyssey to the New Century” at Barnes & Noble in Metro Pointe, 901 South Coast Drive, Costa Mesa. 7 p.m. Wednesday. (714) 444-0226.

* Barbara DeMarco Barrett will interview Sara Davidson (“Cowboy”) on “Writers on Writing” on KUCI (88.9 FM) in Irvine. 4 p.m. Thursday.

* Barbara Mark will sign “The Angelspeake Storybook” at Barnes & Noble in Fashion Island, 953 Newport Center Drive, Newport Beach. 7 p.m. Friday. (949) 759-0982.

* Howard-Yana Shapiro will sign “Gardening for the Future of the Earth” at Borders Books and Music in South Coast Plaza, 3333 Bear St., Costa Mesa. 3 p.m. Friday. (714) 432-7854.

* Sharon Lovejoy will sign “Roots, Shoots, Buckets and Boots” at Borders Books and Music in South Coast Plaza, 3333 Bear St., Costa Mesa. 4 p.m. Saturday. (714) 432-7854.

* Gary Isben will sign “The Great Tomato Book” at Borders Books and Music in South Coast Plaza, 3333 Bear St., Costa Mesa. 11 a.m. Saturday. (714) 432-7854.

* Rudy Yakzan will sign “Soccer for Everyone” at Barnes & Noble in Fashion Island, 953 Newport Center Drive, Newport Beach. 7 p.m. Saturday. (949) 759-0982.

Send information about book-related events at least 10 days before event to: Dennis McLellan, O.C. Books & Authors, The Times’ Orange County edition, 1375 Sunflower Ave., Costa Mesa, CA 92626. Or e-mail to dennis.mclellan@latimes.com.