The book is a classic work by Wan Yunjun, a famous scholar of ancient Chinese poetry and song.

The first part of the book discusses the development of ancient Chinese poetry and song and the basic law of art creation, expounds the relationship of Chinese poetry and song in form, and discusses the tragic beauty of Chinese poetry and song. 

The second part analyzes in detail the artistic expressions of Chinese poetry and song based on specific works.

The appendix discusses the evaluation of the two schools of Song ci-poetry (bold and unconstrained vs. graceful and constrained) and the true nature of Yuan drama. 

The author, with profound literacy in studies and rich experience of art creation, analyzes traditional works but breaks out of the constrains of thoughts of his predecessors. Through subtle observation, critical thinking and argument, the author expounds theories of poetry creation from the regularities of specific works, offering readers the basic approach to appreciate and write classical poetry.