Raymond Dawson dedicated himself to a profound study of Chinese culture and civilization, with his work analyzing European conceptions of Chinese society and philosophy. His academic career involved teaching at universities and developing the field of Chinese studies. Beyond his scholarly publications, Dawson was also renowned as a crossword setter for the New Statesman, a role he held for fifty years. His approach was characterized by an effort to make complex aspects of Chinese history and thought accessible to a wider audience through clear texts and translations.
Set in the exotic and perilous landscapes of Borneo, this semi-true narrative follows 9-year-old Armond, his family, and his two best friends, Delip and Daniel. Their adventures unfold amidst the lush greenery, where they encounter the dangers posed by snakes, crocodiles, and sharks. The story captures the essence of childhood exploration and friendship against a backdrop of thrilling natural challenges.
Theirs was a rich civilization in which emperors are magnified, bureacrats satirized, women worshipped, nature revered, parting and death mourned, and war reviled. Dawson shows how Chinese art and literature are linked by the magic of the calligraphic brush-stroke, and the lasting influence of ancient doctrines on Chinese manners and institutions, all of which is deeply rooted in tradition.
This authoritative new work replaces the author's 1968 edition. It takes into account recent advances in scholarship with entirely revised notes on the text passages and improved and simplified explanations. The book's expansion also permits the author to continue the story beyond the fourth century B.C. and introduces the reader to the writings of the great Han Dynasty historian, Ssu-ma Ch'ien, who perfected a narrative style which became a model for future generations of Chinese writers.