How Long to Read The Letter to Ren an and Sima Qian's Legacy

How Long Does it Take to Read The Letter to Ren an and Sima Qian's Legacy?

It takes the average reader to read The Letter to Ren an and Sima Qian's Legacy by Stephen W. Durrant

Assuming a reading speed of 250 words per minute. Learn more

Description

"'Surely, a man has but one death. That death may be as heavy as Mount Tai or as light as a goose feather. It is how he uses that death that makes all the difference!' So wrote Sima Qian (first century BCE), author of Record of the Historian (Shiji), the first comprehensive history of China's past, in his 'Letter to Ren An.' In this, the most famous letter in Chinese history, he explains his decision to finish his life's work, the first comprehensive history of the Chinese past, which was begun by his late father, rather than to honorably commit suicide following his castration for 'deceiving the emperor.' The authenticity of the letter, which is included in Sima Qian's biography in Ban Gu's (CE 32-92) History of the Han Dynasty, has been debated for millennia. Is it a genuine piece of writing by Sima Qian addressed to a fellow sufferer who was himself languishing in prison and would die in 91 BCE? Or is it a very early work of literary impersonation whereby Ban Gu or a still earlier author sought to elucidate Sima Qian's reasoning through an epistle? Conceived as a text for Chinese history courses, this compact volume provides a full translation of the letter (along with the original Chinese text) and uses different interpretations of this key document to explore issues in textual history, epistolary culture, Han politics, and Han thought. It shows how ideas about friendship, loyalty, factionalism, and authorship encoded in the letter have far-reaching implications for the study of China"--Provided by publisher.

How long is The Letter to Ren an and Sima Qian's Legacy?

The Letter to Ren an and Sima Qian's Legacy by Stephen W. Durrant is 0 pages long, and a total of 0 words.

This makes it 0% the length of the average book. It also has 0% more words than the average book.

How Long Does it Take to Read The Letter to Ren an and Sima Qian's Legacy Aloud?

The average oral reading speed is 183 words per minute. This means it takes to read The Letter to Ren an and Sima Qian's Legacy aloud.

What Reading Level is The Letter to Ren an and Sima Qian's Legacy?

The Letter to Ren an and Sima Qian's Legacy is suitable for students ages 2 and up.

Note that there may be other factors that effect this rating besides length that are not factored in on this page. This may include things like complex language or sensitive topics not suitable for students of certain ages.

When deciding what to show young students always use your best judgement and consult a professional.

Where Can I Buy The Letter to Ren an and Sima Qian's Legacy?

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