Compendium of Li Bai's Materials (Full Three Volumes)

Author: Pei Fei
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-06-01
Features: The scope of this compilation, in terms of content, includes general reviews, studies on works (which further include critiques, interpretations, and discussions of authenticity), biographical accounts and evaluations, as well as poems inspired by admiration. For materials with similar viewpoints or those that follow one another, a policy of inclusion with minor textual edits is generally adopted. For instance, regarding Li Bai's place of origin, the circumstances of The Hard Road to Shu, and the issue of Li Cong, the varied interpretations across generations need not necessarily introduce new insights but can help us understand which dynasty and individuals held which views. Similarly, for the question of whether Li Bai's exile reached Yelang, where few opinions exist, such materials hold greater reference value. Credibility is not the standard for including materials. For example, regarding the mutual rescue and drowning theories of Li Bai and Guo Xi, while modern scholars dismiss them as baseless, earlier generations widely believed them, and understanding this is also necessary. Additionally, it should be noted that there are particularly numerous poems composed in praise of Li Bai throughout history. These works broadly cover perspectives on Li Bai's thoughts, character, experiences, and works, even if they are merely expressions of admiration, they can illustrate Li Bai's historical influence. Therefore, we have included a substantial amount of such poetry. In summary, we believe that for a great poet as Li Bai, who was surrounded by legends from birth to death and whose works often sparked controversy, a broader inclusion of materials is necessary to comprehensively reflect how earlier generations perceived and evaluated him.