This far-reaching anthology of nearly five hundred poems provides a comprehensive account of its first three millennia (1500 BCE to 1200 CE), the period during which virtually all its landmark developments took place. Unlike earlier anthologies of Chinese poetry, Hinton's book focuses on a relatively small number of poets, providing selections that are large enough to re-create each as a fully realized and unique voice. From the classic texts of Chinese philosophy to intensely personal lyrics, from love poems to startling and strange perspectives on nature.

Early collections : the oral tradition (c. 15th century B.C.E. to 4th century C.E.) -- The book of songs (c. 15th to 6th century B.C.E.) -- Tao Te Ching (c. 6th century B.C.E.) -- The songs of Chʻu (c. 3rd century B.C.E.) -- Music-bureau folk-songs (c. 2nd to 1st centuries B.C.E. -- Nineteen ancient-style poems (c. 1st to 2nd centuries C.E.) -- Lady Midnight songs of the four seasons (c. 4th century C.E.) -- Su Hui (4th century C.E.) -- Tʻao Chʻien (365 to 427) -- Hsieh Ling-Yün (385 to 433) -- Tʻang Dynasty I : the great renaissance (c. 700 to 800) -- Meng Hao-Jan (689 to 740) -- Wang Wei (701 to 761) -- Li Po (701 to 762) -- Tu Fu (712 to 770) -- Cold mountain (Han Shan) (c. 7th to 9th centuries) -- Wei Ying-Wu (c. 737 to 792) -- Tʻang Dynasty II : experimental alternatives (c. 800 to 875) -- Meng Chiao (751 to 814) -- Han Yü (768 to 824) -- Po Chü-i (772 to 846) -- Li Ho (790 to 816) -- Tu Mu (803 to 853) -- Li Shang-Yin (c. 813 to 858) -- Yü Hsüan-Chi (c. 840 to 868) -- Sung Dynasty : the mainstream renewed (c. 1000 to 1225) -- Mei Yao-Chʻen (1002 to 1060) -- Wang An-Shih (1021 to 1086) -- Su Tung-Pʻo (1037 to 1101) -- Li Chʻing-Chao (c. 1084 to 1150) -- Lu Yu (1125 to 1210) -- Yang Wan-Li (1127 to 1206).