The Book of Han or History of the Former Han (Chinese: 漢書; pinyin: Hàn shū) is a history of China finished in 111, covering the Western, or Former Han dynasty from the first emperor in 206 BCE to the fall of Wang Mang in 23 CE. It is also called the Book of Former Han.The work was composed by Ban Gu, a court official, with the help of his twin brother Ban Chao and their sister Ban Zhao, continuing the work of their father, Ban Biao.