Great Books of the People · Historical Materials and Historiography

Author: Jian Bozan
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2005-05-01
Features: This book is an important introductory work on history written by the esteemed Jian Bozan. It is divided into two major themes: "Historical Materials" and "Historical Studies." The "Historical Materials" he refers to are not the general term for historical data, but rather "Historical Material Studies," which is the specific methodology and approach to studying historical materials. The "Historical Studies" primarily refer to the theory and methods of studying history, commonly known as "Historiography."
"The Great and the Small," is a playful title. The term "Great" in this context has two meanings: 1) The author of the book is a distinguished figure; 2) The book is written for the general audience, serving as a read for everyone. The term "Small" refers only to its length, as the book is relatively brief in size. However, in terms of academic rigor, it is not light; in fact, some parts are quite substantial. In reality, the size of a book is also relative. A book with 100,000 words might be considered small in today's printing conditions, but in the era of Laozi and Confucius, would it still be considered small?
One of the purposes of compiling this series is to save readers' time, allowing them to gain more knowledge in a shorter period. In the age of information explosion, there is too much to learn. Supplementary reading has become a frequent necessity. If one is not skilled at supplementary reading, grabbing a little here and a little there, patching up this today and that tomorrow, may not yield the best results. If reading is treated like taking medicine, one might also lose the and joy that should come with reading. Each book in this series is concise, so even if readers read it carefully and savor it slowly, it won’t take much time, allowing them to fully enjoy the pleasure of reading. If they choose to treat it as medicine, it is small in dosage, easy to take, and easy to digest.
We also have another purpose: to contribute to cultural accumulation. We collect and publish works that have stood the test of time and have been recognized by readers, ensuring they are not lost to history. Some books were once bestsellers but are now hard to find; others may not have garnered much attention at the time but have proven their value over time. Both types of books need to be rediscovered and brought back into the light. Books on science and technology are more focused on practicality, and once outdated, they may not attract many readers, except for those studying the history of science and technology. In contrast, the humanities are different; many books in this field remain fresh and relevant with repeated readings.
However, this series is not entirely republished old books. We also want to invite renowned scholars to write new small books that are both academically rigorous and accessible to the general public, to meet the growing needs of readers. The format of "The Great and the Small" is compact, allowing readers to tuck it into their pockets and read a few pages anytime, anywhere. Waiting by the roadside, queuing for theater tickets, on the bus, or in the park—anywhere and anytime. With more readers engaging in such activities, society will be enriched with cultural vibrancy and a learning atmosphere. Isn’t that a good thing?