Great Literature of the Eastern World: The Major Works of Prose, Poetry and Drama from China, India, Japan, Korea and the Middle East [Hardcover]

Ian P. McGreal (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 1996

This study looks at the major works of literature, from ancient times to the present, of the Eastern world. It provides information on the ancient classics as well as modern novels, drama, poetry and prose of China, India, Japan, Korea and the Middle East. Each entry provides readers with information on the author, the major themes of the work, the story (when appropriate), critical evaluation, and finally, recommendations for translations and other critical studies.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

With the help of about 50 other scholars, McGreal, the editor of two "great thinkers" compendia (e.g., Great Thinkers of the East, HarperCollins, 1995), has compiled facts about the major prose, poetry, and drama of China, India, Japan, Korea, and the Middle East. Each area is covered from ancient times to about 1950 and thus includes only the highlights. China gets the largest share (34 entries), starting from the Shijing (10th century B.C.) up to the fiction of Lao She (1899-1966), with Japan a close second (28 entries). Given its long literary history, the Middle East is shortchanged (18 entries), although Korea has the fewest entries (nine) because its literature was usually written in Chinese or was oral until relatively recently. Religious scripture (the Vedas in India and the Qur'an, for example) also become literary works. Each entry contains basic facts, major themes, a summary, an annotated list of major translations, and an annotated list of related studies about the author or work. Although uneven, this compendium should be a valuable reference for any student of Eastern literature; it will also serve as a great crib sheet.?Kitty Chen Dean, Nassau Coll., Garden City, New York
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.

About the Author

Ian P. McGreal received a Ph.D. in philosophy from Brown University. Professor of Philosophy Emeritus at California State University, Sacramento, he has also taught at Brown, Southern Methodist University and the University of Maryland. His books include The Art of Making Choices, Analyzing Philosophical Arguments, Problems of Ethics, Great Thinkers of the Western World and Great Thinkers of the Eastern World. In association with Frank N. Magill, he edited Masterpices of World Philosophy, Masterpieces of Christian Literature and Masterpieces of Christian Spirituality.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 554 pages
• Publisher: Harpercollins; 1st edition (August 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0062701045
• ISBN-13: 978-0062701046
• Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 7.6 x 1.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,347,493 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Book!!, May 4, 2002

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Sora, a 7th grader (Tucson, AZ) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Great Literature of the Eastern World: The Major Works of Prose, Poetry and Drama from China, India, Japan, Korea and the Middle East (Hardcover)

This was a great book! It helped me TONS w/ my history report on Murasaki Shikibu and The Tale of Gengi!