"Burton Watson...possesses all the qualities which distinguish a master translator. As a craftsman and a poet, he has inspired and challenged two generations."-Asian Affairs

"A new translation of any of the classics...from the hand of Burton Watson is an event to be welcomed with gratitude."-Journal of Asian Studies

"Burton Watson is the finest, most consistent, most generous translator of Chinese literature of this century."-Gary Snyder

Lu You (1125-1210) whose pen name was ‘The Old Man Who Does as He Pleases,' was among the most prolific of Chinese poets, having left behind a collection of close to ten thousand poems as well as miscellaneous prose writings. His poetry, often characterized by an intense patriotism, is also notable for its recurrent expression of a carefree enjoyment of life.

This volume consists of twenty-five of Burton Watson's new translations, plus Lu You's poems as they appear in the original, making this a perfect collection for the lay reader as well as for those with a mastery of Song dynasty Chinese.

In addition to poems, Burton Watson includes English translations of excerpts from La You's famous Ra Draii (Diary of a Trip to Shu), written in 1170, which describes his experiences on a journey he took to assume the duties of vice governor in the province of Kuizhou.

Burton Watson is a distinguished translator from the Chinese and Japanese. He has written or translated many books and is published largely by Columbia University Press. Ahadada Books is proud to present the latest of Mr. Watson's publications.