The Columbia Book of Chinese Poetry - (Translations from the Asian Classics) by Burton Watson (Paperback)

About the Book

The Columbia Book of Chinese Poetry presents translations of more than 420 poems by 96 poets drawn from the great ages of Chinese poetry. It includes selections from the Book of Odes, the oldest anthology of Chinese poetry compiled around the seventh century B.C., and covers the succeeding generations down to the end of the Sung dynasty in A.D. 1279. A general introduction discusses the major characteristics and forms of traditional Chinese poetry, while introductory essays to the individual chapters outline the history of poetic development in China over the centuries

Book Synopsis

The Columbia Book of Chinese Poetry presents translations of more than 420 poems by 96 poets drawn from the great ages of Chinese poetry. It begins with selections from the Book of Odes, the oldest anthology of Chinese poetry compiled around the seventh century B.C., and covers the succeeding generations down to the end of the Sung dynasty in A.D. 1279.

Important poets such as T´ao Yüan-ming, LiPo, Tu Fu, Su Tung-p´o, and Lu Yu are treated in separate sections with generous samplings from their works, while lesser poets are represented in chapters devoted to the particular era in which they lived. A general introduction discusses the major characteristics and forms of traditional Chinese poetry, while introductory essays to the individual chapters outline the history of poetic development in China over the centuries.

From the Back Cover

This anthology covers an immense variety of different poets, spanning twenty-three centuries. In Watson's skilled hands, they all become accessible, intelligible, and highly readable. This is surely a great achievement.

Review Quotes

This gathering of translations in the surest, clearest, most comprehensive presentation of Chinese poetry yet. Burton Watson's lifelong dedication to Chinese literature becomes a gift to us all.--Gary Snyder

About the Author

Burton Watson is one of the world's best-known translators from the Chinese and Japanese. His translations include The Lotus Sutra, The Vimalakirti Sutra, Ryokan: Zen Monk-Poet of Japan, Saigyo: Poems of a Mountain Home, and Chuang Tzu: Basic Writings all published by Columbia