This second volume of the history of the Han dynasty consists of
chapters dealing principally with the reign of Emperor Wu, one of the
most energetic and strong-willed of China's Rulers. Here the historian
is chronicling events he has witnessed and writing of the men he
personally knows or has known. In Nagano Hozan's (1783-1837) words, He
makes us see in our minds the character of the men of the time, and this
is why he is a great historian.: