L¸ s Commentaries of History

8vo, br. ed. pp.v-367. Synopsis: L¸'s Commentaries of History (L¸ Shi Chun Qiu) is an important historical document. It was compiled by L¸ Buwei, the Prime Minister of the state of Qin near the end of the Warring States Period (475-221 B.C.), a period of Chinese history marked by a series of chaotic wars between rival states. The purpose of compiling the book was to provide a guide to government for the future Qin ruler. It was a period when the Confucian, Taoist, Moist and Legalist schools of philosophy prevailed. But instead of following any particular school of thought, L¸ adopted what he considered to be useful. His writings thus contain a wealth of political and and philosophical ideas as well as commentaries on moral standards, human conduct, cultural undertakings, science, astronomy, calendar-making, medicine, agriculture and other subjects. For an historical window into the pre to early Qin period, these writings are indispensable. About the Author: Tang Bowen graduated from Peking University and was a senior English editor and translator at the Foreign Langauges Press, Beijing. He has edited and translated numerous works of Chinese classics in literature, history, and philosophy.