Sources of Chinese Tradition, Vol. 1
Product ID: 2054118
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A collection of seminal primary readings on the social, intellectual, and religious traditions of China, Sources of Chinese Tradition, Volume 1 has been widely used and praised for almost forty years as an authoritative resource for scholars and students and as a thorough and engaging introduction for general readers. Here at last is a completely revised and expanded edition of this classic sourcebook, compiled by noted China scholars Wm. Theodore de Bary and Irene Bloom. Updated to reflect recent scholarly developments, with extensive material on popular thought and religion, social roles, and women's education, this edition features new translations of more than half the works from the first edition, as well as many new selections. Arranged chronologically, this anthology is divided into four parts, beginning at the dawn of literate Chinese civilization with the Oracle-Bone inscriptions of the late Shang dynasty (1571โ1045 B.C.E.) and continuing through the end of the Ming dynasty (C.E. 1644). Each chapter has an introduction that provides useful historical context and offers interpretive strategies for understanding the readings. The first part, The Chinese Tradition in Antiquity, considers the early development of Chinese civilization and includes selections from Confucius's Analects, the texts of Mencius and Laozi, as well as other key texts from the Confucian, Daoist, and Legalist schools. Part 2, The Making of a Classical Culture, focuses on Han China with readings from the Classic of Changes ( I Jing ), the Classic of Filiality, major Han syntheses, and the great historians of the Han dynasty. The development of Buddhism, from the earliest translations from Sanskrit to the central texts of the Chan school (which became Zen in Japan), is the subject of the third section of the book. Titled Later Daoism and Mahayana Buddhism in China, this part also covers the teachings of Wang Bi, Daoist religion, and texts of the major schools of Buddhist doctrine and practice. The final part, The Confucian Revival and Neo-Confucianism, details the revival of Confucian thought in the Tang, Song, and Ming periods, with historical documents that link philosophical thought to political, social, and educational developments in late imperial China. With annotations, a detailed chronology, glossary, and a new introduction by the editors, Sources of Chinese Tradition will continue to be a standard resource, guidebook, and introduction to Chinese civilization well into the twenty-first century. Review: Great Resource Book! - I am low-key obsessed with this book. I have so many things highlighted, underlined, and marked with sticky notes. I love the information presented and teaches me a lot about the culture from different dynasty periods. Review: If you want know China, Real Chinese, read it - I am a native Chinese and I am a political science major student in a relatively prestigious school. I have been knowing Chinese history for years, with living in China and study Chinese history in my high school. HOWEVER, this book is truly amazing and revealed many things and insights about my own cultural roots. A must read! Highly recommended!
| Best Sellers Rank | #207,150 in Books ( See Top 100 in Books ) #122 in Customs & Traditions Social Sciences #208 in Chinese History (Books) #473 in Cultural Anthropology (Books) |
| Customer Reviews | 4.4 out of 5 stars 79 Reviews |
B**T
Great Resource Book!
I am low-key obsessed with this book. I have so many things highlighted, underlined, and marked with sticky notes. I love the information presented and teaches me a lot about the culture from different dynasty periods.
G**R
If you want know China, Real Chinese, read it
I am a native Chinese and I am a political science major student in a relatively prestigious school. I have been knowing Chinese history for years, with living in China and study Chinese history in my high school. HOWEVER, this book is truly amazing and revealed many things and insights about my own cultural roots. A must read! Highly recommended!
M**L
I was not able to understand most of it
I think the book is excellent and it is exactly what is meant for. However, the Chinese historical sources are so far away from my mindset that I found it difficult and quite boring. Try first the second volume first (it is more meant for non-historians or non-philosophers). In case you love it you can try the first one.
K**V
Not bad for a textbook
Bought it for a college course and surprise (!) ended up reading it! It can be a bit dry of course, but its a pretty interesting read if you're into that kind of stuff. If you have no interest in history well then obviously this book is not for you. Also it is HUGE. I definitely did not read the entire textbook. At whatever price you are paying for this book, the price per page is less than a penny. It weighs about 5 pounds and is fatter than a two cheeeseburgers stacked on top of each other. Still, decent read, heavy, and if you can get it for under 10 dollars you are probably getting a good deal.
T**X
5 stars
An amazing resource for Chinese history in a beautiful layout. I would definitely recommend this and the 2nd volume to anyone interested in diving into primary Chinese source material.
ะ**R
SO this is what no highlighting or notes mean...
This is on hundreds of pages in the book. No way could it have been "missed". Pretty funny how the description actually says no notes, highlighting or mars. They flat out lied. I have had descriptions "forget" to mention something but this was pure and simple lying. I guess I really should pay more attention to the ratings.
A**R
Primary sources
Very engaging and enjoyable history book!
T**K
Great book
This is a wonderful book with hard to find translations. If you want to deepen your understanding of China this is a great book.
J**Y
Wonderful work which gives the reader a large
Wonderful work which gives the reader a large, diverse collection of translated sources ranging from Buddhist religious works and ancient fortune telling to Tang Dynasty era poetry to works on governance and philosophy in the Ming Dynasty. Although Chinese history and literature is of course incredibly vast, and no one work will come close to covering everything, Sources of Chinese Tradition succeeds into giving the reader a start in understanding some of the most significant works and people in Chinese Civilisation.
S**.
Testo utile
Un testo utile per chi faccia storia della cultura cinese e voglia avere a disposizione un comodo repertorio di testi di vario genere. Non sempre la scelta dei brani o la selezione degli stralci e condivisibile. Non sempre si trova ciรฒ di cui si ha bisogno. Ma essendo un'opera titanica, conviene averla a disposizione.
S**H
โNEWโ But was written in.
This book was sold to me at a new price but it has writing in it.
Z**R
A Wonderful Book!
The problem with buying academic books new is the cost. Thankfully they can be bought second hand at a reasonable price. My copy came from Illinois, was in almost pristine condition and was delivered to me in the UK within two weeks. This is a splendid book for anyone interested in China and would be a useful read for any of our lawmakers who would profit from a little understanding of this huge and fascinating country. Many thanks.
M**G
Four Stars
good.
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