This book is a study of the poetry of Huang Zunxian, one of the most famous authors of late nineteenth-century China. The first part consists of a detailed biography outlining Huang's literary and political career. This is followed by a critical discussion of Huang's poetry, including such topics as his theory of literature, his traditional verse, his highly original poetry on foreign lands, his political satire and his scientific verse. The book concludes with a generous sampling of his poetry in translation.

"...well worth reading and keeping on one's shelf as a reference work. Schmidt should be given much credit for this pioneering effort and its valuable contribution to the study of Huang Zunxian and late traditional Chinese poetry and intellectual history." China Review International, Richard John Lynn, University of Alberta