The beginnings and early stages of the scholar-amateur movement in painting, known first as "shidafu hua" and later as "wenren hua," are presented through works by or attributed to the early literati masters, notably Su Shi or Su Dongpo, Mi Fu, and Li Gonglin. An especially fine painting from the next generation, the "Red Cliff" handscroll by Qiao Zhongchang, is given a longer, detailed treatment.

Cuauhtémoc Cárdenas, whose campaign for Mexico's presidency helped ignite democratization in that country after decades of one-party rule, discusses the history and legacy of the Mexican revolution as we enter the 100th anniversary of its beginning. Cuauhtémoc Cárdenas is president of the Fundación para la Democracia and served as mayor of Mexico City from 1997-99. http://clas.berkeley.edu/