History of the Soul, written by Zhang Chengzhi, is a work of narrative history spanning 172 years, which explores the personal and religious conflicts among the Jahriyya, a Sufi tariqah in Northwestern China. Published in 1991, it went on to become China's second-best selling book in 1994.
Plot summary The book is divided into seven chapters or "gates", each corresponding to one of the seven generations of the masters, martyrs, and common people of the Jahriyya Order. Chapter 1: The Scarlet Green Banner () Chapter 2: The True Vanishing () Chapter 3: Exile () Chapter 4: A New World () Chapter 5: The Beauty of Martyrdom () Chapter 6: Disgraced () Chapter 7: Knocking on Modernity's Gate ()
Editions First edition: , People's Republic of China: Huacheng Publishing House, January 1991. 1995 edition: , People's Republic of China: Hainan Publishing House, August 1995. . Traditional Chinese edition: , Republic of China (Taiwan): Fengyun Shidai, January 1997. . 1999 edition: 1999. .
References Notes
Sources
Zhang, Chengzhi. Xin Ling Shi. Guangzhou Shi: Hua cheng chu ban she, 1991. Print.