 University of Wisconsin-Madison William Nienhauser wrote in the "Journal of the American Oriental Society" that "this is a book that should be read once by all students of early China" and re-read.In the "Harvard Journal of Asiatic Studies", professor Martin Kern of Princeton University wrote a lengthy review, and concluded, "David Schaberg's work will prove invaluable for all further study of Chinese historiography, anecdotal narrative, and rhetoric.It gives great pleasure through its intelligent argument, fine phrasing, and comprehensive scholarship."