There are currently no satisfactory English translations of prominent classical Chinese calligraphy masterpieces (法書, exemplary works that are worth for all to study and observe) like Cao Quan Stele (曹全碑) and Lanting Xu (蘭亭帖). This is the first book that offers line-by-line English translations of the following five Chinese calligraphy masterpieces along with detailed annotations and explanations using historical reference books and texts:

1. Cao Quan Stele (曹全碑) by an unknown calligrapher (185AD);
2. Lanting Xu (蘭亭帖) by Wang Xizhi (王羲之, 303-361AD);
3. Elaborations on the Chronicle of Ni Kuan (兒寬贊帖) by Chu Suiliang
(褚遂良, 596-658AD);
4. A Poem on General Pei (裴將軍帖) by Yan Zhenqing (顏真卿, 709-
785AD);
5. Huai Su's Autobiography (懷素自叙帖) by Huai Su (懷素, 725-785 AD or
737-799 AD).

Previous attempts by renowned scholars such as Patricia Ebrey (in translating Cao Quan Stele) and LIN Yutang (林語堂, in translating Lanting Xu) contain significant errors and omissions and will be briefly discussed in this book. Hence, serious learners of Chinese calligraphy as well as scholars studying traditional Chinese culture will find this book particularly useful.