A Thorough Exploration in Historiography: Shitong
Department
History
Document Type
Book
Files
Description
In the early eighth century, frustrated with the authorities but still hoping to gain immortality through his future oeuvre, the Tang court historian Liu Zhiji set out to write Shitong, in which he would rigorously explore the tradition of historical writing in China. Liu scrutinized hundreds of texts from antiquity to the early Tang dynasty (618?907) and evaluated their authors according to what he deemed the three essential qualities for historians: talent, knowledge, and insight. Shitong is now generally considered the greatest work of traditional Chinese historiography. It preserves precious information on a host of lost ancient and medieval titles while advancing a critical view on history writing. This first translation of the work into a Western language provides textual criticism and annotation for the historical figures, events, and allusions that are crucial to appreciating the work, making it a must-read for students of historiography East and West.
Call number in WMU's library
DS734.7.L583 L58 2023 (Waldo Library WMU Authors Collection, First Floor)
ISBN
9780295751061
Publication Date
2023
Recommended Citation
Xiong, Victor Cunrui and Nylan, Michael, "A Thorough Exploration in Historiography: Shitong" (2023). All Books and Monographs by WMU Authors. 968.
https://scholarworks.wmich.edu/books/968