Core Argument - The book "The Making of Song Dynasty History: Sources and Narratives" by Charles Hartman discusses the narrative issues of historical materials related to the Song Dynasty, emphasizing the dynamic nature of historical writing and the concept of "living history" [2][3]. Summary by Sections Introduction - The introduction outlines the author's approach, presenting Song Dynasty historical writings as a dynamic creative process and setting the goal to explore how these characteristics influence existing historical records [3]. Historical Materials - The first five chapters focus on historical materials, examining texts such as "Song Hui Yao," Li Tao's "Xu Zizhi Tongjian Changbian," and Li Xinchuan's "Jianyan Yilai Xinian Yaolu," viewing them primarily as rhetoric or political metaphors rather than mere historical records [4]. Narratives - The last six chapters delve into the political narratives of the Song Dynasty, discussing the concept of "macro-narratives" and their three themes: "benevolent governance," "deification of the founding emperor," and "genealogy of treachery" [4][10]. Analysis of "Stories" and "Benevolent Governance" - The author argues that specific historical materials were constructed by historians to convey their political views, focusing on the keyword "story." However, there are logical inconsistencies in the author's interpretations, particularly regarding the relationship between historical records and stories [5][9]. Examination of "Deification of the Founding Emperor" - The chapter on the deification of the founding emperor presents a more empirical study, suggesting that the portrayal of Song Taizu was influenced by the political context of the early Southern Song Dynasty [14][15]. Critique of Methodology - The author's methodology is critiqued for relying on selective evidence and misinterpreting historical texts, leading to flawed conclusions about the nature of historical narratives and their construction [21][22]. Conclusion - The book concludes with a discussion on the rhythm of Song Dynasty history, suggesting that the narrative construction is heavily influenced by the political backdrop of the time, although this perspective lacks depth and fails to provide substantial explanations [22][23].