An Account of Annam

Wang ShizhenJun 2024

3.0

Word count: 11K words
Chapters: 3

Summary

Traditional Chinese thought and culture have a long history and are highly original, inventive, and literary. Early forms of thought have distinctive features: religious theology, classical texts of Chinese medicine, ancient military strategy, Confucian, Daoist, Buddhist, and Hundred Schools thought, feng shui and metaphysics, the Twenty-Four Histories, customs and local gazetteers—all are profound and extensive. This "Essence of Chinese Classics" series preserves the original appearance of the texts and focuses on preserving and transmitting traditional Chinese thought and culture. By reading the literary essence left by ancient sages, readers cultivate character and subtly appreciate the classics.

Editor's review

The Annals of Annam, attributed to Wang Shizhen, records historical events related to Annam (present-day north-central Vietnam) and belongs to the category of ancient geographical and diplomatic historical sources. This book is included in the "Essence of Chinese Classics" series, preserves the original appearance of the text, and focuses on preserving and transmitting traditional thought and culture. It is suitable as primary material for studying ancient frontier gazetteers and the history of Sino-foreign relations. Its reading value lies in presenting how people of earlier times understood neighboring polities—their narrative methods, geographical conceptions, and tributary discourse. It can be read alongside relevant accounts in the official histories to observe how different texts select and elaborate material. Readers should note the author's historical standpoint and sources, treat the narrative as historical source material rather than an objective record by today's standards, and use it with maps and reference works for best results.

Who it's for

A good fit for

Researchers of Sino-foreign relations history and Vietnamese history who need to consult ancient documents
Enthusiasts of ancient gazetteers and frontier history interested in traditional geographical writing
Students of literature and history using it for primary-text study and source comparison
Readers of Chinese classics who prefer ancient texts that preserve their original appearance

Not a good fit for

Introductory readers seeking a modern general history of Vietnam
Vernacular readers without Classical Chinese ability who need detailed annotation
Ordinary readers expecting light travelogue-style narration

Reading tips

First understand the background of Sino-Vietnamese relations in the Ming and Qing periods before entering the original text
Read with historical maps to locate place names and directions in the text
Read against relevant chapters of the official histories to compare detail and stance
Record doubtful points and consult reference works or research literature before judging

版权信息
安南传一
安南传二

FAQ

Is The Annals of Annam a general history of Vietnam?

It is not a general history in the modern sense. It is a text of an ancient geographical and diplomatic historical nature that preserves its original appearance and presents how people of earlier times understood Annam and selected their material. To understand Vietnam's historical development systematically, one should first read modern general histories, then use this book as primary material for supplementation and comparison.

What preparation is needed to read this book?

It is advisable to have basic Classical Chinese reading ability and a general understanding of Sino-Vietnamese relations and the tributary system in the Ming and Qing periods. Also prepare historical maps and reference works to check place names, official titles, and figures. Note the author's historical standpoint, treat the accounts as source material rather than conclusions, and read alongside relevant official histories for greater reliability.

Is this book suitable as an introduction to Chinese classics?

Not very suitable. This is an ancient-text edition that preserves its original appearance and focuses on authenticity, lacking vernacular explanation and detailed annotation for beginners. Beginners should start with annotated and translated selections of classics; once Classical Chinese reading ability and historical background knowledge are in place, reading primary texts of this kind will be more rewarding.

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About the author

Wang Shizhen Author · China (Ming dynasty) · 1526–1590

Wang Shizhen (1526–1590), courtesy name Yuanmei and styled Fengzhou and Yanzhou Shanren, was a native of Taicang in Nan Zhili (present-day Taicang, Jiangsu). A Ming dynasty literary figure, historian and literary critic, he was a leading representative of the Later Seven Masters and dominated the literary scene for some twenty years, rising to the post of Minister of Justice at Nanjing. His writings span poetic and literary criticism, historical notes and biographies. Twenty-five of his works are included in this collection, among them Yiyuan Zhiyan, Yanshan Tang Bieji, Biographies of Chief Grand Secretaries since the Jiajing Reign, and several compilations of Ming anecdotes and records, as well as Jianxia Zhuan. Yiyuan Zhiyan sets out his literary views and exerted a lasting influence on the poetic and prose trends of the mid-to-late Ming. His historical and miscellaneous works preserve a wealth of information on Ming institutions and figures. His style is learned and disciplined, combining critical sharpness with narrative interest, and he is often mentioned in categories of classical literature and philosophical reading.