Classics for Daily Reading

Author: Zhu Ziqing
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-04-01
Features: Mr. Zhu Ziqing not only discusses the classics in the traditional sense—such as the Five Classics and the Four Books—in this small book but also covers historical classics like Zuo Zhuan (Spring and Autumn Annals), Zhan Guo Ce (Records of the Warring States), and Shiji (Records of the Grand Historian), as well as the classics of the Hundred Schools of Thought, the classics of prose and rhyme, the classics of poetry, and the classics of literature. It is practically a concise yet comprehensive history of classical studies. His purpose is to help the younger generation understand the entire traditional culture and cultivate well-rounded scholars. The language in the book is extremely accessible, while the organization is exceptionally clear. A attentive reader will not only grasp the basic evolution of the classics but also learn the general methods of scholarship. This book is Mr. Zhu Ziqing’s introductory guide to ancient Chinese literature, history, and philosophical classics, covering thirteen chapters: Shuowen Jiezi (Explaining Graphs and Characters), the Book of Changes (I Ching), the Book of Documents (Shang Shu), the Book of Songs (Shijing), the Three Rites (San Li), the Three Commentaries on the Spring and Autumn Annals (Spring and Autumn San Zhuan), the Four Books, Zhan Guo Ce (Records of the Warring States), Shiji (Records of the Grand Historian) and Han Shu (History of the Han Dynasty), the Hundred Schools of Thought, prose and rhyme, poetry, and literature. The book offers insightful perspectives, historical writing, and a clear, engaging style, making it an essential introduction to understanding ancient Chinese cultural classics. As a modern Chinese prose writer and poet, Zhu Ziqing is renowned for his elegant and melancholic prose style and refined, graceful writing. He also possessed profound expertise and research in ancient Chinese classics. Addressing the challenge that classical texts in China are particularly difficult to read, making them inaccessible to the general public, Mr. Zhu Ziqing wrote this accessible introduction that provides a comprehensive yet easy-to-understand overview of the classics. The book is generally organized according to the traditional Chinese classification system of classics, history, and literature, summarizing works such as Shuowen Jiezi, the Four Books and Five Classics, Zhan Guo Ce, Shiji, Han Shu, and others, while also covering famous works in the categories of the Hundred Schools of Thought, prose and rhyme, poetry, and literature.