Overview

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. '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

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9781624668227

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Reviews

"""Van Norden has pulled off the seemingly impossible. With his direction, a serious student could make real headway in learning classical Chinesewhile 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 ""[A] terrific little book, one that fills a niche. Van Norden is a gifted writer when it comes to material geared to students, and the book is very lucid, engaging, and funny all at once. It is a pleasure to read."" --Hagop Sarkissian, The City University of New York, Graduate Center, and Baruch College ""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 "" 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"

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 [A] terrific little book, one that fills a niche. Van Norden is a gifted writer when it comes to material geared to students, and the book is very lucid, engaging, and funny all at once. It is a pleasure to read. -Hagop Sarkissian, The City University of New York, Graduate Center, and Baruch College 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

Author Information

Bryan W. Van Nordenis 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.

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