《史通》一书是刘知几对古代史学的系统反思,研究他撰写《史通》的治史宗旨和整体把握,对深入探讨刘知几的史学思想有重要意义。“辨其指归,殚其体统”唐中宗景龙四年(公元710年),刘知几完成了《史通》一书的写作。是年仲春之月,他为该书作序,回顾他自武后长安二年(公元702年)以著作佐郎兼修国史以来的史官生涯和撰写《史通》的经过,说道: The book “Shi Tong” is a systematic reflection on ancient history by Liu Zhi-ji. It is of great significance to study his purpose and overall grasp of the history of writing “Shi Tong”. “Discrimination of its return, 殚 its system” Tang King Zonglong four years (AD 710), Liu Zhiji completed the “Stratton,” a book writing. Is the second lunar month of the year. He prefaced the book and recalled the history of his career as a historian and the writing of “Stratton” after his military administration in Chang’an (AD 702)