《Records of the Grand Historian》（Parallel Classical-Modern Edition）（Imitating the ancient bound volume of the Mao family reading）

Author: Executive Editor: Zhu Xueqin
Publisher: Yuanfang Press
Publication Date:
Features: "China has two great books: one is the Records of the Grand Historian, and the other is the Comprehensive Mirror to Aid in Government. Both were written by talented individuals who were politically frustrated, and they are worthwhile reads. Some say that politics cannot be divorced from historical knowledge; others say that politics cannot be divorced from power tactics and conspiracies; and some even say that politics is all about cunning. I want to give these people a quote, but it’s not by me—I’m passing on someone else’s words. It’s by Lu Xun: 'Cunning has techniques and can be effective, but it is limited. So those who achieve great things through cunning in the past are rare.'"—Record of a Conversation Between Mao Zedong and Nurse Meng Jinyun
Among the world’s great ancient civilizations, only Chinese civilization has continued uninterrupted. This is directly related to our nation’s long-standing emphasis on the study of history. Over thousands of years, Chinese civilization has been able to continue its legacy and flourish, an important reason being that our ancestors understood how to advance by summarizing history.
—Jiang Zemin
In my opinion, among the classics that guide governance, none is better than Sima Guang’s Comprehensive Mirror to Aid in Government. His discussions on history are always balanced and just, broadening the mind. If one reads this book, when they step into office, they will surely act with principle and avoid falling into error.
—Zeng Guofan
This is a book that is indispensable in this world, and also a book that every scholar must read.
—Qing historian Wang Mingsheng (Comprehensive Mirror to Aid in Government)
The editor-in-chief of Comprehensive Mirror to Aid in Government was the Northern Song Dynasty literatus and historian Sima Guang, who once held the office of Prime Minister. Other contributors included Liu Ban, Liu Shu, and Fan Zuyu. The structure of the book is harmonious and unified, and the language is concise and simple. The writing process was divided into three steps: first, organizing and drafting the initial version; second, refining it into a second draft; and third, revising and polishing it to finalize the manuscript. The original drafts filled two rooms. It took 19 years. Comprehensive Mirror to Aid in Government collected 19 official histories and 282 other historical sources. Some of these sources have since been lost, making it an extremely valuable historical resource.
When Mao Zedong went on inspection tours, he never failed to bring Comprehensive Mirror to Aid in Government with him. In his later years, he read it to the point of neglecting sleep and food. He demanded the publication of a version with annotated punctuation and a parallel classical/modern Chinese text. In 1956, under the directive of Minister of Culture Shen Yanbing, Qiao Bin was tasked with producing Mao’s personal edition of Comprehensive Mirror to Aid in Government. Mao treasured this edition and read it devotedly until his death. The publication of this book also greatly facilitated the work of later scholars and readers.