Chapters in this book

1. Frontmatter i
2. Contents v
3. Foreword vii
4. Acknowledgments xv
5. Chronology of Dynasties and Historical Periods xvii
6. Introduction 1
7. 1 Thieving Rats and Pampered Cats 22
8. 2 The White Mouse and the Five Rats 56
9. 3 A Wedding and a Court Case 82
10. 4 A Tale without Shape or Shadow 114
11. 5 Peace Negotiations and Dystopias 154
12. Epilogue 175
13. Glossary of Chinese Char acters 183
14. Notes 189
15. Bibliography 215
16. Index 239