For the early development (from bronze daggers to short swords to long bronze swords, and then the transition to iron and steel swords), the best English-language source is Yang Hong, Weapons in Ancient China: https://books.google.com/books/about/Weapons_in_ancient_China.html?id=HMHeAAAAMAAJ

For later development, I don't know of any good English-language sources, but Jiang Huangfu (Alex Huangfu), Iron and Steel Swords of China http://www.nlb.gov.sg/biblio/12947471 is a good, and profusely-illustrated Chinese-language source.

These don't cover how these swords were used in technical detail. In military use, the jian was usually used with a shield, and was the standard military sword until it was largely replaced by the dao during the Han Dynasty. Judging by artwork, the jian was still used as a military weapon (with shield) into the Ming Dynasty, but wasn't a common military weapon. It persisted as a civilian weapon, and was also worn by military officers. With the mid-19th century decentralisation of some military responsibilities to local militias, there was somewhat of a renaissance of the jian (but the dominant militia sword was still the dao).

For a book that's easier to find, Zhang Yun's book on taiji jian https://books.google.com/books/about/Art_of_Chinese_Swordsmanship.html?id=C5MPAAAACAAJ has an introductory chapter on the history of the jian (and covers one modern method of use in detail).

Note that Science and Civilisation in China, Vol. 5, Part 8 should include shock weapons. (Not released yet - two supposed release dates have passed with no book published yet.)