The Analects are not written in prose but rather in a poetic verse-like form. They provide a road map to understanding the life, times and thought of Confucius, the founder of Confucianism. Introduction and Appendices integrate themes, ideas and interpretations from many sources. The Analects is compiled from ancient scripture, legends and traditions. The Introduction and Appendices are written in regular prose form that is invaluable to an understanding of Confucius' thinking. Back matter includes notes and cited references pages plus a thirteen-page Glossary. The Appendices range in length from thirteen to thirty-four pages. The Introduction is fifty pages in length the Books are titled with Roman numerals and range in length from three to seven pages. The Analects is a 249 page, non-fiction quasi-historical work divided into twenty-four parts that include an introduction, twenty books and three appendices plus back matter and glossary. Confucius does not succeed in getting his ideas put into practice, so he devotes the rest of his life to teaching. While traveling, he visits other states in ancient China where he offers unheeded advice to feudal lords. As an adult he becomes police commissioner of his birthplace. Confucius is the Western name of K'ung Ch'iu also known as K'ung Chung-ni. Reliability of available sources depends on gleanings from the biography, Shih chi, the Lun yu, which is titled in English The Analects, a commentary-the Tso chuan and The Mencius as supplements. By then many legends that cannot be confirmed surround him. but his biography is not completed until the first century. However, little that is certain is known about the Master. He is very important in the Chinese tradition.

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