China and Beyond by Victor H. Mair

Book excerpt: This book is a valuable collection of essays by renowned Asian studies scholar Victor H. Mair. Compiled by Rebecca Shuang Fu, Matthew Anderson, Xiang Wan, and Sophie Ling-Chia Wei, it provides a window into Mair's vast array of scholarly works, which are influential and well known for their broad scope. This collection connects Mair's works from phases of his career to show its trajectory and development. Chapters 1 to 3 reflect his comprehensive and interdisciplinary training in Chinese literature and Indology. From chapter 4 onwards, Mair's much-lauded insightful discussions on the interactions between China and other cultures are presented. The last 3 chapters demonstrate how Mair's research successfully branched out from philology, making significant contributions to various fields, including art, archaeology, and philosophy. This book is essential for scholars in Asian studies.