A Hundred and Seventy Chinese Poems

This anthology gathers a hundred and seventy Chinese poems that span the great dynastic eras, from the Han to the Qing. Most of the selections have never been rendered into English before, giving listeners a rare hearing of voices that have long remained silent in translation. The translator’s careful notes explain the choices, pointing out where earlier versions fell short and why certain classic pieces were retained for comparison.

The poems reveal a different poetic spirit than the familiar Western tradition. Rather than dramatizing heroic quests or romantic love, the verses often turn inward, offering candid reflections on friendship, modest leisure, and the simple rhythms of daily life. Listeners will hear the calm confidence of scholars reading the Book of Changes, the quiet pleasure of a shared cup of wine, and the subtle humor that lies beneath centuries of Chinese thought.