"This massive and engaging volume, edited by sinologists Francesca Bray, Vera Dorofeeva-Lichtmann, and Georges Métailié, is an important addition to the literature. Devoted mainly to the study of Chinese graphic elements, the book examines their role in society, history, and culture. The volumes significance lies as much in its methodology as in its broad coverage.(...) These essays, and particularly Brays introduction, set up a framework for the study of Chinese tu and raise many questions for further study. They will appeal to students and scholars of visual culture and of the history of science, the history of art, and the history of science, in both China and the West." Jinbang Song, East Asian Science, Technology and Society: An International Journal (2011) 5 "a large and important book. We can congratulate the editors and contributors for a very useful set of essays and and introduction that goes as far as possible toward making them cohere." Nathan Sivin, China Review International 2008: 15/4.
