S. J. Marshall works as an editor for one of the premier medical journals. The Lancet, when he is not pursuing his interest in ancient Chinese historyThe mysteries of the ancient Chinese text known as the I Ching continue to fascinate scholars and enthusiasts alike. While sinologists rely on historical criticism to explain the meaning of the work, those who use it for divination tend to accept without question the traditional account of its origin and purpose. Whereas modern scholars are generally dismissive of the book's reputed mystical significance, traditionalists often resent academic research into the oracle because it seems irreverent or iconoclastic. In The Mandate of Heaven, S. J. Marshall sets out to reconcile these opposing approaches. He plumbs the book's numerous, hidden historical references, reading them against other sources, and discovers that the oracle has far more narrative integrity and basis in historical fact than anyone has previously appreciated. The Mandate of Heaven focuses on the story of the I Ching's origins. The book is attributed to King Wen, who died before he could succeed in overthrowing the tyrannical Shang dynasty. His son, King Wu, eventually triumphed over the Shang and established the Zhou dynasty as the legitimate royal house. According to the tradition, these events are in some ways alluded to in the earliest layer of commentary in the I Ching, but no sound historical basis has been discovered to substantiate this claim. Consequently, since the 1930s sinologists have discounted the value of this tradition. Marshall uncovers an account of Wu's conquest in an important, previously overlooked passage that tells of a solar eclipse believed by the King to have been an omen from Heaven to immediately march against the Shang. Marshall is able to match this account with a scientifically verified solar eclipse that took place on June 20, 1070 B.C., just one of his many historical readings that show how the earliest layer of the I Ching has preserved a hidden history that has remained undetected for three millennia.The I Ching is one of the cornerstone texts of Chinese civilization and remains a tremendously popular book throughout the world. Scholars have increasingly dismissed the traditions surrounding the text, while many readers in both China and the West have been more willing to accept this divinatory work at face value. S. J. Marshall sets out to reconcile these opposing approaches.Marshall became interested in the Chinese book of fortunes in 1982, but this is his first book about it. He fleshes out the traditional story of its creation by King Wen some 3,000 years ago with contemporary documents and historical clues found in the commentary on the 64 hexagrams themselves. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)
show more 
show less