This book explores poems, novels, legends, operas and other genres of writing from the Ming Dynasty. It is composed of two parts: the literary history; and comprehensive reference materials based on the compilation of several chronologies. 
By studying individual literary works, the book analyzes the basic laws of the development of literature during the Ming Dynasty, and explores the influences of people, time, and place on literature from a sociological perspective. In turn, it conducts a contrastive analysis of Chinese and Western literature, based on similar works from the same literary genre and their creative methods. The book also investigates the relationship between literary theory and literary creation practices, including those used at various poetry schools. In closing, it studies the unique aesthetic traits of related works. Sharing valuable insights and perspectives, the book can serve as a role model for future literary history studies. It offers a unique resource for literary researchers, reference guide for students and educators, and lively read for members of the general public.

Shuofang Xu (1923 2007), professor of Zhejiang University, and guest professor of Princeton University. Besides, he was the counsellor for the National Leading Group for the Classification and Publishing of Ancient Books, member of the Commission on the Classification and Study of Ancient Books in Chinese Colleges organized by Ministry of Education, and Vice-Chairman of Chinese Opera Society. All through his life XU won over 30 awards, including one of the 1st Excellent Works on Chinese Dramatic Theory, first prize of National Awards for Excellent Ancient Books, second prize of Excellent Achievements of the Study of Humanistic and Social Science organized by Ministry of Education, first prize and Outstanding Contribution Award of Excellent Achievements of the Study of Philosophy and Social Science in Zhejiang Province, and other provincial and national academic awards. Focusing on the literature of Ming Dynasty and ancient Chinese opera, XU wrote a bunch of books, such as Chronicle of Drama Writers in Late Ming Dynasty. 
Qiuke Sun, professor of Kuming University, visiting scholar of Zhejiang University.
About the translator: Li Maprofessor of East China University of Political Science and Law. She holds a Ph. D. in Applied Linguistics from Shanghai International Studies University. Her areas of expertise are applied/social linguistics and translation. She is the winner of 2 grants from the Shanghai Educational Commission, and a grant by the Chinese National Social Science Foundation. She is the member of Shanghai Translation Association, and the member of Shanghai Law Research Association. She was the visiting scholar in the University of California in the US .She is the author of 4 books and over 30 papers, covering the range of linguistic theories and the cultural connotations in translation. Her publications also include the translation of 4 English books into Chinese.  

Preface.- Literature of Early Ming Dynasty.- Evolve from Nanxi to Legend.- Publishing and Achievements of Full-Length Novels Collectively Created Based on Years of Accumulation (I).- Publishing and Achievements of Full-Length Novels Collectively Created Based on Years of Accumulation (II).- Excellent Full-Length Novels Outshine Collective Creations.- Crisis of the Literary Circles in Mid-Ming Dynasty and Related Exploitation and the Revival of Ancient Styles.- The Growth and Decline of the Trend of Reviving Ancient Styles and Its Crosscurrent in Late Ming Dynasty.- Creation of Zaju in Middle and Late Ming Dynasty.- Flourishing of the Legends of Literati.- TANG Xianzu, Master of Legend Drama.- Compilation of Story-Tellers Scripts and the Flourishing of Vernacular Stories.- The Last Radiance of Ming Poetry and Prose.- The Last Glory of Ming Legends.- Ci and Qingqu.- Ballads and Popular Songs Prevail All over China.