Mengzi (Mencius) (370-290 BC) was a Confucian who studied in the school of Zisi, the grandson of Kongzi (Confucius) and whose collected saying, dialogues, and debates--named after him--is one of the four books that together express the essence of Confucianism. Van Norden (philosophy and Chinese and Japanese, Vassar College, US) recommends it as the first book for students and others just learning about the philosophical system. He presents a new translation, accompanied by running philosophical commentary, much of it drawn from that of Zhu Xi (1130-1200 BC), who himself judiciously quoted earlier commentary. Annotation ©2009 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)