"Selections from Classical Chinese: Historical Texts" aims to instruct, inform, and inspire students of Chinese by presenting selected historical texts and their annotations. Taken from the seminal works known as the Four Histories, the fourteen included texts offer insights into the political, social, economic, and cultural aspects of China over a long period of time. The comprehensive annotations provide full pronunciation in pinyin, the grammatical function of individual words, and a full explication of the texts.

One of the supplementary readings to "Classical Chinese: A Basic Reader," this volume includes eight selections from the "Shi Ji" and two each from the "Han Shu," the "Hou Han Shu," and the "San Guo Zhi." Each unfolds a fascinating account of the historical events and figures that represent certain salient values or distinctive cultural characteristics of what has come to be the Chinese tradition.

The "Shi Ji," a grand history by Sima Qian chronicling three thousand years of Chinese history, is divided into five sections of 130 chapters. Sima Qian is especially noted for his biographical style, and his work is considered the first and only "universal history" of China. The "Han Shu," by Ban Gu, recounts the history of a single dynasty and is known for its dynastic style in depicting history. Together, these two histories represent paradigms of Chinese historiography. The "Hou Han Shu," by Fan Ye, and the "San Guo Zhi," by Chen Shou, continue this tradition of excellence. These four works are known collectively as the "Four Histories."

All texts are fully annotated to include a pinyin version marking the pronunciation of each word, glosses of each word by grammatical function and its meaning in the text, as well as detailed explication of each word. The exercises at the end of each selection are intended to help students apply newly gained knowledge, better appreciate Chinese history, and stimulate interest in additional reading.

This revised and updated edition of the Chinese Primer--an introductory textbook in wide use for more than a decade--uses proven techniques to put beginning learners of Mandarin Chinese on the path toward true mastery. The goal of the book is internalization--to lead students to adopt Chinese as one of their own languages and not to regard it merely as an object of study and translation.

Features include: Use of hanyu pinyin romanization Rigorous foundation work in pronunciation, including tones and the other special phonemes that are crucial to mastery Lesson texts that combine authentic, natural Chinese expression with lively everyday topics that allow students to immediately begin using Chinese themselves Carefully designed incremental introduction of grammar, accompanied by thorough and precise notes Completely revised notes that link Chinese language to Chinese culture-such as names, modes of address, and conventions of politeness Additional lessons for self-study during the summer following a first-year course A completely revised character workbook that introduces both traditional and simplified characters and that simulates the way native speakers learn characters as children: in small doses that eventually "catch up" with speaking ability

Like its earlier edition, "The Chinese Primer: Revised Edition" is composed of three integrated volumes: (1) the Blue Book "Lessons"]: introduction; foundation work on pronunciation; lesson dialogues in romanized Chinese and English; appendices; glossary-index; (2) the Red Book "Notes and Exercises"]: vocabularies; grammar notes and culture notes keyed to the lessons; exercises; and (3) the Yellow Book "Character Workbook"]. (There is also a fourth volume, the Green Book "Pinyin Character Text"], which is sold separately.) Texts of the lessons are in both traditional and simplified Chinese characters, and there is a Chinese introduction for teachers."

Four experienced teachers of beginning Chinese have developed this introductory textbook. A pilot edition has been tested widely in classrooms and refined over a period of years. Among its salient features are lessons that are lively, amusing, and relevant to everyday life: concentrated training of ear and tongue in the sound system of Chinese; extensive grammar notes, clearly presented, with attention to mistakes English-speakers are likely to make; a carefully sequenced character workbook embodying a new and effective approach to the learning of Chinese characters; and audiovisual reinforcement via a complete set of audiotapes and two videotapes, one of which offers entertaining dramatizations of the lesson dialogues.

"The Chinese Primer" is available in two versions, one using the GR system of romanization, which employs different spellings instead of diacritical marks for different tones, the other using Pinyin romanization. The contents of the four volumes are as follows: (1) Blue Book "Lessons"]: Introduction; foundation work on pronunciation; lesson dialogues in romanized Chinese and English; appendices; glossary-index. (2) Red Book "Notes and Exercises"]: Vocabularies; grammar notes and culture notes keyed to the lessons; exercises. (3) Yellow Book "Character Workbook"]: workbook. (4) Green Book "Pinyin Character Text"]: Texts of the lessons in both traditional and simplified Chinese characters, and a Chinese introduction for teachers.

The first three volumes: Blue Book, Red Book, and Yellow Book are sold as a set (GR Set or Pinyin Set). In addition, the GR Blue Book "Lessons"], GR Red Book "Notes and Exercises"], and GR Yellow Book "Character Workbook"], along with the Pinyin Green Book "Pinyin Character Text"] are sold separately. The GR Audio and video materials are available from the Chinese Linguistics Project at Princeton University for use with this text. These supplementary materials are not published by Princeton University Press. For further information and prices, contact the Chinese Linguistics Project, 231 Palmer Hall, Princeton University, Princeton, N.J. 08544. (609-258-4269).

"Classical Chinese: Selections from Philosophical Texts" continues the rigorous standard set forth in the main, three-volume "Classical Chinese: A Basic Reader." Organized into four sections, this supplementary volume sets forth the key concepts and writings of Confucius, Mencius, Laozi, and Zhuangzi-providing key insight into their beliefs and literary styles. The beauty of these original texts and the insightful annotations that accompany them will provide students of Chinese with a glimpse into the fountainhead of China's intellectual tradition.

The main text and its four supplementary volumes together represent the most comprehensive and authoritative textbook on the language, literature, philosophy, history, and religion of premodern China. Rigorously and extensively field-tested and fine-tuned for years in classroom settings by three members of the Chinese Linguistics Project at Princeton University, it sets a new standard for the field. With "Classical Chinese: A Basic Reader" and its supplementary volumes, Naiying Yuan, Haitao Tang, and James Geiss provide the definitive new resource for students and instructors of classical Chinese language and culture, one whose impact will be lasting.

Four experienced teachers of beginning Chinese have developed this introductory textbook. A pilot edition has been tested widely in classrooms and refined over a period of years. Among its salient features are lessons that are lively, amusing, and relevant to everyday life: concentrated training of ear and tongue in the sound system of Chinese; extensive grammar notes, clearly presented, with attention to mistakes English-speakers are likely to make; a carefully sequenced character workbook embodying a new and effective approach to the learning of Chinese characters; and audiovisual reinforcement via a complete set of audiotapes and two videotapes, one of which offers entertaining dramatizations of the lesson dialogues.

"The Chinese Primer" is available in two versions, one using the GR system of romanization, which employs different spellings instead of diacritical marks for different tones, the other using Pinyin romanization. The contents of the four volumes are as follows: (1) Blue Book ["Lessons"]: Introduction; foundation work on pronunciation; lesson dialogues in romanized Chinese and English; appendices; glossary-index. (2) Red Book ["Notes and Exercises"]: Vocabularies; grammar notes and culture notes keyed to the lessons; exercises. (3) Yellow Book ["Character Workbook"]: workbook. (4) Green Book ["Pinyin Character Text"]: Texts of the lessons in both traditional and simplified Chinese characters, and a Chinese introduction for teachers.

The first three volumes: Blue Book, Red Book, and Yellow Book are sold as a set (GR Set or Pinyin Set). In addition, the GR Blue Book ["Lessons"], GR Red Book ["Notes and Exercises"], and GR Yellow Book ["Character Workbook"], alongwith the Pinyin Green Book ["Pinyin Character Text"] are sold separately. The GR Audio and video materials are available from the Chinese Linguistics Project at Princeton University for use with this text. These supplementary materials are not published by Princeton University Press. For further information and prices, contact the Chinese Linguistics Project, 231 Palmer Hall, Princeton University, Princeton, N.J. 08544. (609-258-4269).

This supplemental volume continues the rigorous standard set forth in the main, three-volume "Classical Chinese: A Basic Reader" while reinforcing its linguistic lessons from carefully chosen representative works. Comprised of three parts--"Poetry," "Lyrics," and "Prose"--it presents texts, chronologically, that represent the artistic embodiment of China's Confucian and Taoist thought. Two introductions separately describe the structural and formal features of regulated verse and parallel prose; each genre is unique to Chinese literature yet both share common characteristics tempered by the Chinese language.

The main text and its four supplementary volumes together represent the most comprehensive and authoritative textbook on the language, literature, philosophy, history, and religion of premodern China. Field-tested and fine-tuned for years in classroom settings by three members of the Chinese Linguistics Project at Princeton University, it is the definitive new resource for students and instructors of classical Chinese language or culture.

Four experienced teachers of beginning Chinese have developed this introductory textbook. A pilot edition has been tested widely in classrooms and refined over a period of years. Among its salient features are lessons that are lively, amusing, and relevant to everyday life: concentrated training of ear and tongue in the sound system of Chinese; extensive grammar notes, clearly presented, with attention to mistakes English-speakers are likely to make; a carefully sequenced character workbook embodying a new and effective approach to the learning of Chinese characters; and audiovisual reinforcement via a complete set of audiotapes and two videotapes, one of which offers entertaining dramatizations of the lesson dialogues.

"The Chinese Primer" is available in two versions, one using the GR system of romanization, which employs different spellings instead of diacritical marks for different tones, the other using Pinyin romanization. The contents of the four volumes are as follows: (1) Blue Book "Lessons"]: Introduction; foundation work on pronunciation; lesson dialogues in romanized Chinese and English; appendices; glossary-index. (2) Red Book "Notes and Exercises"]: Vocabularies; grammar notes and culture notes keyed to the lessons; exercises. (3) Yellow Book "Character Workbook"]: workbook. (4) Green Book "Pinyin Character Text"]: Texts of the lessons in both traditional and simplified Chinese characters, and a Chinese introduction for teachers.

The first three volumes: Blue Book, Red Book, and Yellow Book are sold as a set (GR Set or Pinyin Set). In addition, the GR Blue Book "Lessons"], GR Red Book "Notes and Exercises"], and GR Yellow Book "Character Workbook"], along with the Pinyin Green Book "Pinyin Character Text"] are sold separately. The GR Audio and video materials are available from the Chinese Linguistics Project at Princeton University for use with this text. These supplementary materials are not published by Princeton University Press. For further information and prices, contact the Chinese Linguistics Project, 231 Palmer Hall, Princeton University, Princeton, N.J. 08544. (609-258-4269).

Four experienced teachers of beginning Chinese have developed this introductory textbook. A pilot edition has been tested widely in classrooms and refined over a period of years. Among its salient features are lessons that are lively, amusing, and relevant to everyday life: concentrated training of ear and tongue in the sound system of Chinese; extensive grammar notes, clearly presented, with attention to mistakes English-speakers are likely to make; a carefully sequenced character workbook embodying a new and effective approach to the learning of Chinese characters; and audiovisual reinforcement via a complete set of audiotapes and two videotapes, one of which offers entertaining dramatizations of the lesson dialogues.

"The Chinese Primer" is available in two versions, one using the GR system of romanization, which employs different spellings instead of diacritical marks for different tones, the other using Pinyin romanization. The contents of the four volumes are as follows: (1) Blue Book "Lessons"]: Introduction; foundation work on pronunciation; lesson dialogues in romanized Chinese and English; appendices; glossary-index. (2) Red Book "Notes and Exercises"]: Vocabularies; grammar notes and culture notes keyed to the lessons; exercises. (3) Yellow Book "Character Workbook"]: workbook. (4) Green Book "Pinyin Character Text"]: Texts of the lessons in both traditional and simplified Chinese characters, and a Chinese introduction for teachers.

The first three volumes: Blue Book, Red Book, and Yellow Book are sold as a set (GR Set or Pinyin Set). In addition, the GR Blue Book "Lessons"], GR Red Book "Notes and Exercises"], and GR Yellow Book "Character Workbook"], along with the Pinyin Green Book "Pinyin Character Text"], along with the Pinyin Green Book "Pinyin Character Text"] are sold separately. The GR Audio and video materials are available from the Chinese Linguistics Project at Princeton University for use with this text. These supplementary materials are not published by Princeton University Press. For further information and prices, contact the Chinese Linguistics Project, 231 Palmer Hall, Princeton University, Princeton, N.J. 08544. (609-258-4269).

Classical Chinese is the most comprehensive and authoritative textbook on the language, literature, philosophy, history, and religion of premodern China. Rigorously and extensively field-tested and fine-tuned for years in classroom settings, it sets a new standard for the field. Originally published in three volumes, Classical Chinese appears here in one convenient and easy-to-use volume. Classical Chinese contains forty selections from texts written between the fifth century BC and the first century AD, during which the classical Chinese language was fully developed and standardized. These passages, which express key themes in Chinese humor, wit, wisdom, moral conviction, and political ideals, are arranged in the order of complexity of the grammatical patterns they exemplify. Uniquely, each text is translated into both modern Chinese and English. A detailed glossary defines unfamiliar terms and names found in the first part of the textbook, and the last section features in-depth grammatical analyses, in which every sentence in the main selections is fully diagrammed to show the grammatical relations between their various parts. Corresponding exercises review and reinforce the materials. Four supplementary volumes--an introduction to grammar, readings in poetry and prose, selected historical texts, and selected philosophical texts--are separately available for use in conjunction with this basic reader. Classical Chinese provides a definitive resource for students and instructors of classical Chinese language and culture.

Four experienced teachers of beginning Chinese have developed this introductory textbook. A pilot edition has been tested widely in classrooms and refined over a period of years. Among its salient features are lessons that are lively, amusing, and relevant to everyday life: concentrated training of ear and tongue in the sound system of Chinese; extensive grammar notes, clearly presented, with attention to mistakes English-speakers are likely to make; a carefully sequenced character workbook embodying a new and effective approach to the learning of Chinese characters; and audiovisual reinforcement via a complete set of audiotapes and two videotapes, one of which offers entertaining dramatizations of the lesson dialogues.

"The Chinese Primer" is available in two versions, one using the GR system of romanization, which employs different spellings instead of diacritical marks for different tones, the other using Pinyin romanization. The contents of the four volumes are as follows: (1) Blue Book ["Lessons"]: Introduction; foundation work on pronunciation; lesson dialogues in romanized Chinese and English; appendices; glossary-index. (2) Red Book ["Notes and Exercises"]: Vocabularies; grammar notes and culture notes keyed to the lessons; exercises. (3) Yellow Book ["Character Workbook"]: workbook. (4) Green Book ["Pinyin Character Text"]: Texts of the lessons in both traditional and simplified Chinese characters, and a Chinese introduction for teachers.

The first three volumes: Blue Book, Red Book, and Yellow Book are sold as a set (GR Set or Pinyin Set). In addition, the GR Blue Book ["Lessons"], GR Red Book ["Notes and Exercises"], and GR Yellow Book ["Character Workbook"], alongwith the Pinyin Green Book ["Pinyin Character Text"], along with the Pinyin Green Book ["Pinyin Character Text"] are sold separately. The GR Audio and video materials are available from the Chinese Linguistics Project at Princeton University for use with this text. These supplementary materials are not published by Princeton University Press. For further information and prices, contact the Chinese Linguistics Project, 231 Palmer Hall, Princeton University, Princeton, N.J. 08544. (609-258-4269).