A landmark in its field - and the only book of its kind available in English - this classic study comprehensively traces the development of Chinese writing from the earliest inscriptions to the advent of printing, organizing its history with significant attention to the tools used for these acts. For this revised edition, Tsien adds material treating the many major documents discovered since the book's original publication, and Edward L. Shaughnessy contributes a new introduction.

About the Author
T. H. Tsien is professor emeritus of Chinese studies and curator emeritus of the East Asian Library at the University of Chicago.

Reviews
"This admirable monograph covers the whole field of epigraphy and the technique of human communication, including the origins and development of paper and the use of it for writing, down to the time of the invention of printing." - Journal of Asian Studies "The best study on the subject, this book should be recommended not only to students of book history and of Chinese culture, but to those in other disciplines who are seeking evidence of the early stages of communication in Chinese Civilization." - Harvard Journal of Asiatic Studies



Book Information
ISBN 9780226814162
Author Tsuen-Hsuin Tsien
Format Paperback
Page Count 352
Imprint University of Chicago Press
Publisher The University of Chicago Press
Weight(grams) 510g
Dimensions(mm) 23mm * 15mm * 2mm