'To Arthur Waley we are now indebted for the first historical biography of Po Chü-ibut this book is more. It is a social history of the early ninth century in China, though history in a delectable form, for Arthur Waley has a felicitous style, which conceals most careful scholarship.' -Manchester Guardian'No-where can so much information be obtained about life in the T'ang Dynasty.' -Time and Tide'...the book bears all the evidence of long and careful research' -The Times

• Chapter 1; Chapter 2; Chapter 3; Chapter 4; Chapter 5; Chapter 6; Chapter 7; Chapter 8; Chapter 9; Chapter 10; Chapter 11; Chapter 12; Chapter 13; Chapter 14;