In the Footsteps of Du Fu, Michael Wood
In the Footsteps of Du Fu, Michael Wood
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In the Footsteps of Du Fu

Author: Michael Wood

Narrator: Michael Wood

Unabridged: 4 hr 48 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Published: 10/26/2023


Synopsis

A beautifully illustrated travelogue, chronicling the life and work of one of the world greatest poets.

Du Fu (712-70) is one of China’s greatest poets. His career coincided with periods of famine, war and huge upheaval, yet his secular philosophical vision, combined with his empathy for the common folk of his nation, ensured that he soon became revered. Like Shakespeare or Dante, his poetry resonates in a timeless manner that ensures it is always relevant and offers something new to the modern generation.

Now, in this beautifully illustrated book, broadcaster and historian Michael Wood follows in his footsteps to try to understand the places that inspired Du Fu to write some of the most famous and best-loved poetry the world has known. The themes he wrote about – friendship, family, human suffering – are universal and in our troubled times are just as relevant as they were almost 1,300 years ago.
 

About Michael Wood

Michael Wood is an internationally acclaimed historian, film-maker and broadcaster, and the author of several bestselling books, including three Sunday Times number one bestsellers. He has made well over a hundred documentary films, hailed as some of ‘the most innovative history programmes ever on TV’ by the Independent. These include In the Footsteps of Alexander the Great and The Story of China. Michael is a Fellow of the Royal Society for the Arts, the Royal Historical Society and the Society of Antiquaries. 


Reviews

Goodreads review by Isaac on December 05, 2024

I wonder if Du Fu instantly knew he had an all-timer for the Chinese people for the next 1,500 years on his hands when he wrote the opening line of Gazing at Spring: "The state is destroyed, but the country remains."......more

Goodreads review by Caleb on March 31, 2024

Michael Wood recreates the journey of Du Fu’s life through his travels as he flees a civil war. I knew nothing of Du Fu before this reading, so I cannot speak to the accuracy of this book but I enjoyed the author’s use of translated Du Fu poems and pictures of modern day locations mentioned in the b......more

Goodreads review by Leanne on March 30, 2024

It’s only April, and already I can say that this is going to be my favorite nonfiction read of 2024. A British historian and documentary film maker, MichaelWood does a lot of these “in the footsteps” books —and has it down to a real science. But why Du Fu? The idea to uncover the life and art of China......more

Goodreads review by Peter on July 22, 2024

One of those books that opens your eyes to this world. Du Fu was an eighth century Chinese poet who is venerated today. His life was lived in two halves, the first a tale of privilage, a well read young man becomes a poet, then as China falls into civil war, he becomes a refugee. His poetry has surv......more

Goodreads review by David on May 19, 2024

A fine book from an able and readable historian who has also written a general history of China. I didn't know much about Du Fu and the real point of this book is the universality of an 8th Century Chinese poet who makes us feel his daily life as real and immediate. The book is highly accessible and......more