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The Most Venerable Book (Shang Shu)

By Confucius
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3.74 goodreads logo

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Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
The Most Venerable Book (Shang Shu) is a classic collection of ancient Chinese texts. Traditionally attributed to Confucius, this work is a compilation of historical speeches and documents from early Chinese rulers. It provides insights into ancient governance, moral values, and the philosophical foundations of Confucian thought. The book is revered for its influence on Chinese culture and its timeless teachings on leadership and virtue.
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Format: Paperback / softback
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

You might enjoy this profound work if you're interested in the foundational principles of Chinese culture and wisdom. It's a collection of historical documents that explore moral and philosophical themes, providing deep insights into governance, ethics, and spirituality. Perfect for those intrigued by Confucian thought and looking to immerse themselves in ancient Chinese history.

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The Most Venerable Book (Shang Shu)

A wonderfully enjoyable storehouse of ancient Chinese history and legends, which also has an important role in understanding 21st century. China 'And remember: Heaven's blessing will cease forever if there's despair and poverty in your lands.' This book deals with this topic.

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description
A wonderfully enjoyable storehouse of ancient Chinese history and legends, which also has an important role in understanding 21st-century China The Most Venerable Book (also known as The Book of History) is one of the Five Classics. For many centuries it was a central work for anyone wishing to work for the Imperial administration, with its prestige stemming from the belief that it had been assembled by Confucius himself. The First Emperor tried to have all copies destroyed because of its subversive implication that 'the Mandate of Heaven' could be withdrawn from rulers who failed their people. For similar reasons it was also banned by Mao. Extraordinarily, it has been revived by the Chinese government of the 2010s.

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

The Most Venerable Book (Shang Shu) offers a vivid portrayal of the actions of Chinese rulers, capturing both their virtues and vices in striking detail. Martin Palmer's introduction is praised for its engaging and accessible style, free from overly academic language. The text plays a significant role in the renewed interest in Confucian ethics in China, serving as a crucial resource for those seeking moral guidance.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9780141197463

Publisher: Penguin Books Ltd

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 31 July 2014

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Penguin Classics

Illustration: throughout

Contributors:

  • Translated by Martin Palmer
  • Translated by Jay Ramsay
  • Translated by Victoria Finlay

Audience: General / adult, Tertiary education, Professional and scholarly

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 14.0mm

Width: 128.0mm

Height: 198.0mm

Weight: 192g

Pages: 256

Collections

Confucius Non-Fiction Penguin Books Penguin Classics Religion & Spirituality

About the Author

The various authors of The Most Venerable Book (Shang Shu) are anonymous. There are many arguments about the age and authenticity of the different sections. Parts of the text were never recovered after The First Emperor's attempts to eradicate it, other parts are clearly later. Some sections have been retrieved from tombs dating to the 3rd century BC and the last additions were made in the 4th century AD. Martin Palmer (who translated the book with Victoria Finlay and Jay Ramsay) is Director of the International Consultancy on Religion, Education and Culture (ICOREC) and Secretary General of the Alliance of Religions and Conservation (ARC). His previous translations include The Book of Chuang Tzu (Penguin Classics), The Dao de Jing and The I Ching.

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