Shangshu, Basic Classics of National Learning

Author: Zhou Bingjun (translator and annotator)
Publisher:
Publishing Date: July 1, 2001
Features: The Book of Documents is one of China's earliest collections of political and historical records. Its main content consists of edicts and conversations between rulers and officials of the You, Xia, Shang, and Zhou dynasties, reflecting various aspects of ancient Chinese culture. It serves as an important source for studying China's ancient history and classical culture. The Book of Documents was originally called Shu, but it was referred to as Shangshu in the Han Dynasty, meaning "books of the ancient times." Later, Confucian scholars revered Shangshu as a classic, hence its other name, Shujing. This book is part of the Basic Series of National Learning, specifically the Shangshu volume. In addition to including the complete text of Shangshu, it also provides detailed annotations and easy-to-understand colloquial translations. The book is rich in content, with meticulous and comprehensive annotations that effectively reflect the ideological essence of the original text. It helps readers better understand this ancient classic, playing a significant role in promoting traditional culture and the utility of classical texts.