Courtier And Commoner In Ancient China: Selections From The History Of The Former Han Han Shu. Selections. English

Pan Ku's celebrated and influential __History of the Former Han__ has been a model for dynastic history since its appearance in the first century A.D. The narrative is rich in detail and characterized by purity and economy of style. Covering the period from 206 B.C. to A.D. 23, the work consists of annals, chronological tables, treatises, and biographies, the last of which often include excepts from writings by the subjects of the biographies. Burton Watson has translated ten chapters from the biography section, including the lives of imperial princes, generals, officials, and some lesser figures: a court jester, wandering knights, court ladies, and concubines. All the chapters have been selected for their literary interest and their influence on Chinese literature and culture. Han Shu 54 : The Biographies Of Li Kuang And Su Chien -- Han Shu 63 : The Biographies Of The Five Sons Of Emperor Wu -- Han Shu 65 : The Biography Of Tung-fang Shuo -- Han Shu 67 : The Biographies Of Yang Wang-sun, Hu Chien, Chu Yün, Mei Fu, And Yün Ch'ang -- Han Shu 68 : The Biographies Of Ho Kuang And Chin Mi-ti -- Han Shu 71 : The Biographies Of Ch'üan Pu-i, Shu Kuang, Yü Ting-kuo, Hsüeh Kuang-te, P'ing Tang, And P'eng Hsüan -- Han Shu 74 : The Biographies Of Wei Hsiang And Ping Chi -- Han Shu 78 : The Biography Of Hsiao Wang-chih -- Han Shu 92 : The Biographies Of The Wandering Knights -- Han Shu 97a-b : Accounts Of The Families Related To The Emperors By Marriage (excerpts). Translated By Burton Watson. Translations From The Oriental Classics. Translation Of Selections From Han Shu. Includes Bibliographical References.