Eternal Biography

Author: Xu Houjin
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-01-01
Features: Biography, a unique gem in the garden of ancient Chinese literature. Classified by genre, it belongs to prose. Tracing its origins, it is deeply rooted; it first emerged in the historical prose of the pre-Qin era. However, those prose works were primarily based on historical events, with character descriptions fragmentedly scattered within the narratives, lacking completeness. Even works like The Spring and Autumn Annals of Yanzi merely collected many stories of Yanzi together, with no inherent connections between them. This book carefully selects twenty-four biographical works from the Han Dynasty to the Qing Dynasty. In addition to the original texts of the selected biographies, it includes author biographies, annotations, and appreciations. Reading these biographies is not only about reading history and characters but also about reading literature and spirit. The historical turmoil recorded in the biographies, the refined character portrayals, the emotions conveyed by the authors, and the literary qualities presented will undoubtedly inspire and enlighten readers.