Classical Chinese for Everyone :A Guide for Absolute Beginners

4.27 ( 30 Ratings by Goodreads)
Classical Chinese for Everyone

Classical Chinese for Everyone :A Guide for Absolute Beginners

4.27 (30 Ratings by Goodreads)
hardback
Published: 2 October, 2019
Standard worldwide delivery by Tue, June 30 - Fri, July 3
Order within 0
Condition: NEW
$57.70
RRP $65.66
You save $7.96 (12%)
Price includes shipping
Available 1 in stock
- +
FREE Returns within 30 days

Description

In just thirteen brief, accessible chapters, this engaging little book takes "absolute beginners" from the most basic questions about the language (e.g., what does a classical Chinese character look like?) to reading and understanding selections from classical Chinese philosophical texts and Tang dynasty poetry.

"An outstanding introduction to reading classical Chinese. Van Norden does a wonderful job of clearly explaining the basics of classical Chinese, and he carefully takes the reader through beautifully chosen examples from the textual tradition. An invaluable work." —Michael Puett, Harvard University
See more

More Details

Type Book
ISBN13 9781624668227
ISBN10 1624668224
Number Of Pages 168
Item Weight 362 g
Product Dimensions 140 x 216 x 15 mm
Publisher / Reseller Hackett Publishing Co, Inc
Format hardback
See More +

Media Reviews

"Van Norden has pulled off the seemingly impossible. With his direction, a serious student could make real headway in learning classical Chinese—while learning a great deal about early Chinese thought as well."
—Robert E. Hegel, Washington University in St. Louis
"For most people, learning Classical Chinese is a daunting task, but for those who are fortunate enough to begin with Van Norden's intelligently written and wittily designed Guide, it is far easier and, dare I say, much more fun than one might have thought."
—Victor H. Mair, University of Pennsylvania
"Classical Chinese for Everyone is great! Even if you don't want to learn classical Chinese, it is very philosophically interesting on the topic of how language affects thought. It is a corrective to Orientalist errors, and it is entertaining!"
—Eric Kaplan, Emmy-winning writer and producer of Futurama, The Simpsons, and The Big Bang Theory
"This is a book for anyone who would like to learn a bit of Classical Chinese. . . . If you, or one of your students, or someone on your holiday gift list are interested in a career as a Sinologist, or would like to learn just enough Classical Chinese to say you know a bit, or just like learning interesting things from a good teacher you should get this book. It is by far the most fun language textbook I have ever read."
—Alan Baulmer, Indiana University of Pennsylvania, from a review on the Frog in a Well blog

Show more

GoodReads Reviews

Author's Bio

Bryan W. Van Norden is Chair Professor in the School of Philosophy at Wuhan University (China) and James Monroe Taylor Chair of Philosophy at Vassar College (USA).  He is author, editor, or translator of ten books on Chinese and comparative philosophy.

Show more