Shangshu (Book of Documents)
Tags
Summary
Editor's review
Compared with other editions, this book's editorial structure is especially clear: each chapter contains an introduction, original text, annotations, and translation, with a distinct hierarchy. The introductions are concise and to the point, identifying the background and core ideas of each chapter; the annotations avoid displays of erudition and focus on solving practical reading obstacles; the translations strike a good balance between fidelity and fluency, avoiding excessive colloquialism that would lose the classical flavor while striving for smooth, readable prose. The interpretations of key chapters such as the "Canon of Yao," "Tribute of Yu," and "Great Plan" help readers grasp the early state formation and the rudiments of political philosophy in Chinese civilization.
For serious readers, the advantage of this edition lies in the textual reliability guaranteed by its Zhonghua Book Company pedigree and the translator's plain, restrained scholarly approach. It does not offer fast-food conclusions but guides readers to confront the complexity and contradictions of the text and to appreciate the depth of history for themselves. Reading this book is more like a dialogue with the source code of Chinese civilization, requiring patience and thought, but its rewards far exceed a simple understanding of ancient historical facts and reach the spiritual core of traditional political culture.
Who it's for
A good fit for
- Readers interested in exploring the origins of Chinese civilization and early state formation
- Learners who wish to systematically understand the Confucian classic The Book of Documents and seek a reliable introductory edition
- Researchers or enthusiasts concerned with traditional Chinese political philosophy and governance wisdom
- Readers of history and literature with some grounding in classical Chinese who are willing to take on difficult texts and engage in deep reading
Not a good fit for
- Casual readers seeking light, story-driven historical narratives
- Readers who only want minimal summaries or quotations of famous lines and have no intention of delving into textual details
Reading tips
- Begin with the Preface and Introduction to establish an overall framework for the composition, transmission, and core ideas of The Book of Documents
- Reading order is not essential; start with the relatively accessible Zhou Documents (such as "Against Luxurious Ease" and "Announcement to Kang") before tackling the arduous Yu and Xia Documents
- Read the original text closely alongside the annotations, then compare with the translation to appreciate the differences between ancient and modern language and thought; take notes on key concepts
About the publisher
Zhonghua Book Company is a publisher known for collating ancient texts and academic publishing, with its output centered on Eastern philosophy, culture, classic works, art, and historical reading. Its library contains 532 titles, including Chen Shou's Records of the Three Kingdoms, Guo Qingfan's Collected Commentaries on Zhuangzi, the four-volume Chinese Literature: Four Great Classical Novels, and the two-volume Table of Seal and Clerical Script Forms from Qin, Han, Wei, and Jin. These titles span historical classics, commentaries on the philosophers, classical novels, and philological reference works. Representative authors include Chen Shou, Guo Qingfan, Wu Cheng'en, Shi Nai'an, Cao Xueqin, Luo Guanzhong, Xu Wenwu, and the Hanyu Dazidian character-form group, reflecting a focus on primary sources and scholarly editors. Its publishing character lies in combining authoritative editions and annotated texts with both accessible classics and specialized research. Public information on its fuller catalog is limited; this note describes only the directions evident in the library's holdings.
Contents
- 版权信息
- 前言
- 虞夏书
- 尧典
- 皋陶谟
- 禹贡
- 甘誓
- 商 书
- 汤誓
- 盘庚
- 高宗肜日
- 西伯戡黎
- 微子
- 周 书
- 牧誓
- 洪范
- 金縢
- 大诰
- 康诰
- 酒诰
- 梓材
- 召诰
- 洛诰
- 多士
- 无逸
- 君奭
- 多方
- 立政
- 顾命
- 吕刑
- 文侯之命
- 费誓
- 秦誓
FAQ
Which chapters does this edition of The Book of Documents include? Is it the complete text?
What is the scholarly quality of the annotations and translation? Is it suitable for beginners?
What practical significance does reading The Book of Documents have for modern people?
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About the author
Gu Qian is an author in the field of Chinese books about whom relatively limited public information is currently available. Two works are held in the collection, the representative titles being Shangshu · Liji: Selected Readings and Shangshu. Judging from the existing works, Gu Qian's writing centers on ancient Chinese classics, especially the compilation and selection of Confucian texts such as the Shangshu and the Liji, and the works are commonly categorized under classic works and Eastern philosophy. The books are aimed at general readers who wish to approach the original texts, presenting ancient writings in selected form so that readers can grasp the core content of the classics within a limited space. Since information on biography, nationality, dates of birth and death, and educational background is not clearly recorded, little more can be said about the author's personal history; however, in terms of the choice of works and the editorial approach, Gu Qian's focus lies in the popularization and transmission of traditional classics, reflecting a sustained interest in the ritual and political-educational thought from the pre-Qin period through the Han dynasty. Readers may regard the two works as introductory readings for approaching the Shangshu and the Liji.
