Hawai'i Reader in Traditional Chinese Culture [Hardcover]

Victor H. Mair (Editor), Nancy Shatzman Steinhardt (Editor), Paul R. Goldin (Editor)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0824827856 | ISBN-13: 978-0824827854 | Publication Date: March 28, 2004

The Hawai'i Reader in Traditional Chinese Culture is a collection of more than ninety primary sources of cultural significance from the Bronze Age to the turn of the twentieth century. Each selection, all but a few of which were translated specifically for this volume, is preceded by a brief introduction that (where pertinent) identifies its author, establishes the context, and raises important issues and questions. Together they take into account virtually every aspect of traditional culture, including sources from the non-Sinitic ethnic minorities. Moreover, they incorporate recently excavated materials that have revolutionized the study of Chinese thought, society, and literature, not only making the Reader as up-to-date as possible, but also presenting Chinese civilization more accurately than permitted by reliance on canonical texts alone.

Edited by three highly respected senior scholars, the chosen texts capture the complexity of the Chinese cultural mosaic, among them selections on such topics as agriculture, art and architecture, biography, Buddhism, Confucianism, courtly and daily life, culinary arts, Daoism, death and funerary rites, economics and commerce, education, folklore and popular religion, government, language, law, literature, medicine, military affairs and martial arts, music, politics, regional cultures, science, textiles and clothing, travel, and women. An attractive and unusual feature of the Reader is the inclusion of several maps and 117 color plates that complement the text and, with their extensive and informative captions, are themselves a valuable source of primary data.

Unique in the breadth of its coverage and in the variety of the texts it presents, the Hawai'i Reader in Traditional Chinese Culture is ideal for undergraduate courses on the history, culture, and society of premodern China.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"It should truly appeal to all those interested in the basics of Chinese civilization." -- William H. Nienhauser, Jr., University of Wisconsin, Madison

"It will generate tremendous excitement in the classroom." -- Michael Puett, Harvard University

About the Author

Victor H. Mair is professor of Asian and Middle Eastern studies at the University of Pennsylvania.

Nancy Shatzman Steinhardt is professor of East Asian art at the University of Pennsylvania and curator of Chinese art at the University Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology.

Paul R. Goldin is associate professor of Chinese thought at the University of Pennsylvania.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 744 pages
• Publisher: Univ Hawaii Pr School of Social (March 28, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0824827856
• ISBN-13: 978-0824827854
• Product Dimensions: 10 x 7.4 x 1.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #616,669 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Books for Class, September 27, 2011

By 

Caro - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Hawai'i Reader in Traditional Chinese Culture (Hardcover)

I ordered this book for my Chinese History class. Its very well organized and easy to work though. Sometimes it's a little bit hard to understand, but with proper context and close reading its a good resource. I read the text alongside class lectures, as well as reading chapters in a second book, so it all fits together to create a well-rounded understanding of the material.

1 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic source material, November 9, 2006

By 

David A. Schwartz (Chicago, IL) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Hawai'i Reader in Traditional Chinese Culture (Hardcover)

It's some very nice translations of original Chinese texts with good intros to set the stage and give some background of what you're about to read. And each text is properly referenced so one can understand context better. A really quite fascinating look and Chinese history and culture though the ages in, more or less, their own words.