This is the first English translation of Lu Zongli's major study of rumor in the early Chinese empires. Lu explores how rumor, a non-official form of public opinion, formed and spread through non-official channels of early Chinese history. In this careful investigation, Lu utilizes sources concerning dynastic politics, popular songs, mythology and prophetic texts, dissecting the nature, function and impact of rumor on politics and culture. His work demonstrates the ways that historians can examine views outside of mainstream thinking, interpret group mentality and try to understand the atmosphere of a specific moment in history.
