| Summary: | <br/>Preface <br/> Chapter I. The image takes shape <br/> <em>Introduction: early merchant relations; France and the politics of religion; the rites controversy</em> <br/> Chapter II. Scientia sinensis <br/> <em>Religious contributions to Europe's knowledge of Chinese geography, history, and chronology; the great revelation: Chinese religion; Chinese morality and politics</em> <br/> Chapter III. The libertines and the birth of the Chinese Sage <br/> <em>Chinese chronology, the basis of attack; the negative approach: religious criticism; the positive approach: moral regeneration and political reform; the birth of the Chinese sage</em> <br/> Chapter IV. Varying perspectives <br/> <em>Chinoiseries; imaginative literature, I; gadflies</em> <br/> Chapter V. Voltaire, sinophile <br/> <em>Voltaire and the Jesuits; Chinese motifs; political criticism and religious toleration; China in the</em> Essai sur les mœurs; <em>sinomania</em> <br/> Chapter VI. Transformations <br/> <em>Enthusiasts and moderates; growing discontent; sinophobia: Diderot and Rousseau</em> <br/> Chapter VII. The glory and the dream <br/> <em>Physiocracy; imaginative literature, II; sinology</em> <br/> Chapter VIII. The image fades <br/> <em>China: the reality behind appearance; China's rivals: Hinduism, Hellenism, and primitivism; conclusion</em> <br/> Appendix A. Chronological summary of the history of the Society of Jesus and its relations with China <br/> Appendix B. A comparative table of Chinese texts in English and French romanization <br/> Appendix C. The development of Voltaire's chapters on China in the <em>Essai sur les mœurs</em> <br/> Appendix D. A list of the significant works in which Voltaire mentions China <br/> Bibliography
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