Lu's Commentaries of History

Lü's Commentaries of History (Lü Shi Chun Qiu) is an important historical document. It was compiled by Lü Buwei, the Prime Minister of the state of Qin near the end of the Warring States Period (475-221 B.C.), a period of Chinese history marked by a series of chaotic wars between rival states. The purpose of compiling the book was to provide a guide to government for the future Qin ruler. It was a period when the Confucian, Taoist, Moist and Legalist schools of philosophy prevailed. But instead of following any particular school of thought, Lü adopted what he considered to be useful. His writings thus contain a wealth of political and and philosophical ideas as well as commentaries on moral standards, human conduct, cultural undertakings, science, astronomy, calendar-making, medicine, agriculture and other subjects. For an historical window into the pre to early Qin period, these writings are indispensable.