Including writings that could be considered historical, philosophical, religious, and literary, Wang (philosophy, Loyola Marymount U.) presents an anthology that explores Chinese attitudes towards women and gender from the earliest known writings of 1200 B.C.E. to the period of the Song dynasty (1279 C.E.). Fifty-four writings, some presented in English for the first time, are selected from classics and lesser known works in order to illustrate attitudes towards women and the impact of those attitudes on Chinese cosmologies, views of nature, and cultural practices. Annotation (c) Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)