Selected Writings of Zeng Guofan

Author: Qian Zhonglian
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2001-09-01
Features: This book is one of the "Selected Writings of the Eight Famous Classical Writers of the Ming and Qing Dynasties Series." Zeng Guofan was a renowned classical prose master of the late Qing Dynasty. His prose inherited the style of the Tongcheng School while also developing new directions. His writings focused on reflecting social realities, avoiding the flaw of being overly abstract, yet he did not undervalue the artistic quality of literature, hence opposing the idea of "using literature to convey moral principles" in a one-sided manner. His prose was rich in genuine emotions, with writing driven by feelings, striving to avoid superficial and perfunctory exchanges. In style, he admired the vigor of Yanggang (the masculine and vigorous), emphasizing knowledge, vision, and grandeur. This book selects over seventy pieces of Zeng Guofan's works, including treatises, prefaces, letters, eulogies, biographies, and miscellaneous notes, providing a relatively comprehensive reflection of his achievements and characteristics in classical prose. The annotations in this book are accurate and detailed, while the critiques are insightful, greatly benefiting readers. An appendix at the end includes biographical materials on Zeng Guofan, relevant critical reviews, and major references, which also help readers gain a deeper understanding of both the person and his writings.
Introduction: This book is one of the "Selected Writings of the Eight Famous Classical Writers of the Ming and Qing Dynasties Series." Zeng Guofan was a renowned classical prose master of the late Qing Dynasty. His prose inherited the style of the Tongcheng School while also developing new directions. His writings focused on reflecting social realities, avoiding the flaw of being overly abstract, yet he did not undervalue the artistic quality of literature, hence opposing the idea of "using literature to convey moral principles" in a one-sided manner. His prose was rich in genuine emotions, with writing driven by feelings, striving to avoid superficial and perfunctory exchanges. In style, he admired the vigor of Yanggang (the masculine and vigorous), emphasizing knowledge, vision, and grandeur. This book selects over seventy pieces of Zeng Guofan's works, including treatises, prefaces, letters, eulogies, biographies, and miscellaneous notes, providing a relatively comprehensive reflection of his achievements and characteristics in classical prose. The annotations in this book are accurate and detailed, while the critiques are insightful, greatly benefiting readers. An appendix at the end includes biographical materials on Zeng Guofan, relevant critical reviews, and major references, which also help readers gain a deeper understanding of both the person and his writings.