Perspective

The author, Jonathan Spence, has written extensively on the history of China, and uses many Chinese language sources. Apparently the author did research which led him to the sad story of the death of woman Wang. The author was inspired to create an historical reconstruction of T'an-ch'eng County, where the drama of woman Wang occurs. At this time, China has contact with the West, but still sees itself as the Middle Kingdom, the center of the world. The author reconstructs that world, which with its recurrent wars and disasters, is one of precarious existence for the people of T'an-ch'eng County. The author shows that despite this difficult life, there is still much of interest in Chinese life at this time.

Scholars study questions of justice and proper social relations, though their recommendations are more often ignored than put into practice. China is still able to fascinate the reader...