Book excerpt: The first biographical dictionary in any Western language devoted solely to Chinese women, Biographical Dictionary of Chinese Women is the product of years of research, translation, and writing by scores of China scholars from around the world. Volume II: Twentieth Century includes a far greater range of women than would have been previously possible because of the enormous amount of historical material and scholarly research that has become available recently. They include scientists, businesswomen, sportswomen, military officers, writers, scholars, revolutionary heroines, politicians, musicians, opera stars, film stars, artists, educators, nuns, and more.