Pang-White, Ann A.（編者）：University of Scranton

This volume brings the first English translation of the Confucian classics, Four Books for Women, to the English-speaking world with extensive commentary by the compiler, Wang Xiang, and annotations by the translator. Written by women for women's education, the Confucian Four Books for Women spanned the 1st to the 16th centuries, and encompassed Ban Zhao's Lessons for Women, Song Ruoxin's and Song Ruozhao's Analects for Women, Empress Renxiaowen's Teachings for the Inner Court, and Madame Liu's (Chaste Widow Wang's) Short Records of Models for Women. As a female counterpart to the famous Sishu (Four Books) compiled by Zhu Xi, Wang Xiang's Nu sishu was an indispensable primer for women's education from its publication in the 16th century until the beginning of the 20th century. This work provides an invaluable look at the long-standing history and evolution of Chinese women's writing, education, identity, and philosophical discourse, along with their struggles and triumphs, across the millenniums and numerous Chinese dynasties. This volume also comes with a substantial main introduction, additional introductions preceding each of the four books, and other helpful resources to acclimate the reader to the historical and cultural background in which each book is situated, to illustrate why these women wrote and how they empower women, and to bring the women to life as real, living people.