The arrangement is both chronological and topical, but Mair (Chinese languages and literature, U. of Pennsylvania) warns that the chronology is by no means tied to dynasties, though they are not utterly ignored; and the topics do not correspond to traditional genres, though they are referred to. The 55 essays he has solicited cover the entire history of Chinese literature from inception to the present, but devote most attention to the premodern period both because it is so vast and because post- imperial literature has become increasingly international in themes and form. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)