Before Confucius: Studies in the Creation of the Chinese Classics (Suny Series in Chinese Philosophy and Culture) (Paperback)

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Language Notes

Text: English, Chinese --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback: 262 pages
• Publisher: State University of New York Press (December 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0791433781
• ISBN-13: 978-0791433782
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,720,686 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars a student's guide and helper, April 21, 2000

By	David Jones (New York) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Before Confucius: Studies in the Creation of the Chinese Classics (S U N Y Series in Chinese Philosophy and Culture) (Hardcover)

Shaughnessy is the gold standard for research in the Chinese classics. This is NOT a coffee table book, but a serious research tool for the serious student. If you are interested in the subject you will wwant to own this as a part of your library. That said, the etymology in the book is thorough and well documented. His analysis of the early Chinese writing systems is focused, at times eveen exhausting to the non-student, but so good that you will be glad you made the effort. READ THE FOOTNOTES! Otherwise, you really are not geting your money's worth. The Bamboo Books, Classic of Changes, Venerated Documents, Classic of Poetry, have probably never been this well explained to the English speaking student. Enjoy!