Text and Ritual in Early China (Book Review‪)‬

Text and Ritual in Early China. Edited by MARTIN KERN. Seattle: UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON PRESS, 2005. Pp. xxvii + 332, figs., tables. $40. Publication of Text and Ritual in Early China is an exceptionally important event for scholars of pre-imperial and early imperial Chinese history. First, this is a model post-conference volume, which sets high professional standards for similar collective endeavors. Second, it comprises eight excellent articles written by some of the best scholars in the field, who introduce variety of subjects that have not been heretofore explored by Sinologists. Third, as a collective statement of these scholars, this volume is revealing of academic trends in the study of early China in the West, and may therefore serve as an excellent introduction to new developments in the field.