Writing and Authority in Early China (SUNY Series in Chinese Philosophy and Culture) [Paperback]

Mark Edward Lewis (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 18, 1999 | Series: SUNY Series in Chinese Philosophy and Culture

This book traces the evolving uses of writing to command assent and obedience in early China, an evolution that culminated in the establishment of a textual canon as the foundation of imperial authority. Its central theme is the emergence of this body of writings as the textual double of the state, and of the text-based sage as the double of the ruler. The book examines the full range of writings employed in early China, such as divinatory records, written communications with ancestors, government documents, the collective writings of philosophical and textual traditions, speeches attributed to historical figures, chronicles, verse anthologies, commentaries, and encyclopedic compendia. Lewis shows how these writings served to administer populations, control officials, form new social groups, invent new models of authority, and create an artificial language whose master generated power and whose graphs became potent objects.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Mark Edward Lewis is University Lecturer in Chinese Studies at the University of Cambridge. He is the author of Sanctioned Violence in Early China, also published by SUNY Press. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 556 pages
• Publisher: State University of New York Press (March 18, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0791441148
• ISBN-13: 978-0791441145
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.2 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 2.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #791,719 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2.0 out of 5 stars This was terrible, January 2, 2012

By 

nurdburd13 (Southern USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Writing and Authority in Early China (SUNY Series in Chinese Philosophy and Culture) (Paperback)

I had Classical Thought in East Asia as an undergrad. This book is truly the most awful textbook I've ever had to read. And we had to read the whole thing. The one other review for this calls it nearly unreadable. I could not agree more. I barely learned a thing because it is so intense. I was not able to concentrate on it because it just went on and on about every single detail. I'm not a poor reader. I'm not a poor student. I'm not unable to understand dense scholarly writings and books. This book was just awful. On the upside it's incredibly thorough (obviously) and well researched. If this is your area or specialty, go for it. Otherwise, walk away.

6 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Solid (in Every Sense) Work, February 18, 2007

By 

Tse-t'ien (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Writing and Authority in Early China (S U N Y Series in Chinese Philosophy and Culture) (Hardcover)

This is a very well-researched, scholarly work. It is also incredibly dense to the point of being unreadable. If you're a graduate student in Chinese Lit or Lang (or going to be one), it's probably worth the investment. If you're not, this isn't the book for you.