The Tso Chuan

A classic of China's early prose tradition. This title provides an account of events during the crucial period from 722 to 468. It focuses on political, diplomatic, and military affairs, and reveals about economic and cultural developments during the turbulent era when China's warring feudal states were gradually working toward unification. A vivid chronicle of events in the feudal states of China between 722 and 468 B.C., the Tso Chuan has long been considered both a major historical document and and an influential literary model. Covering over 250 years, these historical narratives focus not only on the political, diplomatic, and military affairs of ancient China, but also on its economic and cultural developments during the turbulent era when warring feudal states were gradually working towards unification. Ending shortly after Confucius' death in 479 B.C., the Tso Chuan provides a background to the life and thought of Confucius and his followers that is available in no other work.