Book Reviews

Author(s): J W De Jong
Publisher: J W De Jong

Page 26

244 REVIEWS to be found. A sketch map lists the modern names of place names identified in the notes. Figures on the map refer to the notes. The map is accompanied by three lists: 1) an alphabetical list of modern names, followed by their degrees of latitude and longitude; 2) an alphabetical list of ancient names, preceded by the number of the notes where they are discussed; 3) a numerical list of the notes, followed by the name of the ancient locality discussed there, and by a brief indication of the suggested identification. A detailed discussion of the translation and of points discussed in the introduction and the notes must be left to sinologists. The non-sinologist will be glad to know that, at last, an adequate translation of these important historical documents is at his disposal. The book is the fruit of the collaboration of two eminent specialists in the history of the Han period. Their work will be of great use to both sinologists and non-sinologists. Let us hope that their example may stimulate other sinologists to translate and explain later Chinese historical sources on Central Asia in the same exemplary way. Australian National University J. W. DE JONG