<P>Compiled in the second century B.C.E, the <i>Huainanzi</i> clarifies a crucial period in the development of Chinese conceptions of the cosmos, human nature, and the social order. Outlining "all that a modern monarch needs to know," the text emphasizes rigorous self-cultivation and mental discipline, attributing successful rule to a balance of broad knowledge, diligent application, and penetrating wisdom.</P><P>In 2010, the editors of this volume completed the first complete English-language translation of the <i>Huainanzi</i>, opening exciting new pathways in the study of philosophy, Asian studies, political science, and Asian literature. This abridgement contains essential selections from each of the <i>Huainanzi</i>'s twenty-one chapters and adds a new introduction and chapter descriptions. The text represents a remarkable synthesis of Daoist classics, such as the <i>Laozi</i> and the <i>Zhuangzi</i>; works associated with the Confucian tradition, such as the <i>Changes</i>, the <i>Odes</i>, and the <i>Documents</i>; and a range of other foundational philosophical and literary works, from the <i>Mozi</i> to the <i>Hanfeizi</i>. The abridgement preserves the <i>Huainanzi</i>'s special rhetorical features, such as its parallel prose, verse, and unique compositional techniques. For decades, Western scholars overlooked the <i>Huainanzi'</i>s sophisticated structure, creative content, and rich historical value, yet all that changed with the translation of the full text. Designed for classroom use and general readers, <i>The Essential Huainanzi</i> continues to increase awareness of this brilliant work and change our understanding of early Chinese history.</P>