Before Confucius: Studies in the Creation of the Chinese Classics (Suny Series in Chinese Philosophy and Culture)

Rating:
Summary: a student's guide and helper
Review: Shaughnessy is the gold standard for research in the Chinese classics. This is NOT a coffee table book, but a serious research tool for the serious student. If you are interested in the subject you will wwant to own this as a part of your library. That said, the etymology in the book is thorough and well documented. His analysis of the early Chinese writing systems is focused, at times eveen exhausting to the non-student, but so good that you will be glad you made the effort. READ THE FOOTNOTES! Otherwise, you really are not geting your money's worth. The Bamboo Books, Classic of Changes, Venerated Documents, Classic of Poetry, have probably never been this well explained to the English speaking student. Enjoy!