"Presents stories of kings and queens, generals, battles, and courtiers from the Zhou Dynasty, when China was ruled by kings from 1046 BC to 221 BC. It was the period before the country was unified under a single emperor, when each state schemed to become more powerful than its neighbor, leading to many exciting stories populated by famous historical figures"--Jacket.

For advanced readers of Chinese, this series includes essays about influential figures in Chinese history from the pre-Qin through the Qing dynasties. After each essay, there is a vocabulary list in Chinese, pinyin and English translation. the title of each volume defines the dynasties covered and may include one or two books

This booklet describes 28 Chinese historical and literary figures who have contributed a great deal to Chinese culture and remain, to this day, an indispensable part of Chinese modern life. Today's Chinese not only remember them, but frequently mention, discuss and commemorate them. Their names are often on the lips of modern Chinese people, as if they were still living with them as brothers or sisters. To understand China and Chinese people, it is essential to know something about these "mysterious" figures!

When published in 1982, this translation of Professor Jacques Gernet's masterly survey of the history and culture of China was immediately welcomed by critics and readers. This revised and updated edition makes it more useful for students and for the general reader concerned with the broad sweep of China's past.

For centuries the Chinese referred to their fiction as xiaoshuo, etymologically meaning roadside gossip or small talk, and held it in relative disregard.