New Releases by Li Chu Tang

Falling between the great unified empires of the Han and T''ang, the Period of Division (A.D. 220-589) is one of the most overlooked and least understood eras in Chinese history. At the start of the fourth century much of China''s traditional heartland fell under the control of ethnic non-Chinese. The remnants of the Chinese court fled to the still somewhat exotic region south of the Yangtze River, where an Eastern Chin dynasty (318-420) was established in virtual exile. The state''s ability to command population and other resources had declined sharply from the heights of Han imperial splendor, but it retained considerable influence over most aspects of society, including the economy. This residual state power made possible the rise, through the monopolization of government office, of a new elite class - the literati, or shih-ta-fu. In this groundbreaking history, Charles Holcombe examines the conditions that produced the literati and shaped their activities during the first of the Southern dynasties, with particular attention to the life and thought of the fourth-century monk Chih Tun (314-366). The security of the literati''s positions in the state, as well as the cooptation process through which they rose to office, encouraged them to neglect the details of actual administrative service and concentrate instead upon peer recognition through the refinement of social graces and through literary, artistic, and philosophical achievements. While the empire hung poised on the brink of ruin, fourth-century literati engaged in round after round of abstruse discussion concerning the ultimate meaning of existence. Their seemingly impractical dalliances blossomed, however, into an age of intellectual and cultural creativity second only to the Warring States period of the late classical era. The Southern dynasties even witnessed significant commercialization and economic growth. Far from the dark ages that their political disunity might imply, China''s Southern dynasties reveal themselves to have been great eras of an unexpected kind. In the Shadow of the Han explores some of the implications of this distinctive Southern dynasty culture.

The Chinese Wonder Book contains some of the most beloved Chinese folktales. These stories include:

• The Golden Beetle or Why the Dog Hates the Cat
• The Great Bell
• The Strange Tale of Doctor Dog
• The Talking Fish
• And many other classics

Originally published in 1919, this book has thrilled and amused children and adults for generations, and served as an accessible introduction to Chinese folklore for countless readers.

Included with these fifteen magical Chinese fairy tales are Li Chu Tang's glorious, full-color illustrations original to the book's first edition, making this book a historical treasure. A new foreword by Sylvia Lin pays homage to the magic of Chinese folktales and adds its own enchantment to this classic children's book. This endearing collection of Chinese fables is sure to bring as much joy to today's children as it did to their grandparents.