Book excerpt: A survey of the voluminous writings of Sir William Jones ( 1746-1794), pioneer English Orientalist who was vitally concerned with improving conditions in the East and explaining Eastern culture to the Europeans. Jones's writings are given in chronological and topical sequence, with comments on style, sources, organization, contents, author's purpose, critics' reaction, and influence on other writers. The appendix includes bibliographies of primary and secondary sources and an index of selected editions and/or printings in English and library locations of extant copies.