Twenty years in the publishing industry

Author: Zhang Jinglu
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2005-01-01
Features: When we reread this book today, we see not only the author's personal experiences but also the publishing atmosphere of that era through his engaging narrative. Zhang Jinglu's business acumen in the publishing industry, his personalized publishing style, and his distinct publishing philosophy made him a highly "dominant" and "talented" publisher among his peers. In the turbulent years of the Republic of China, his success was no accident. To compile a comprehensive history of the New Culture Movement in China, it would be unwise to forget you [Zhang Jinglu].—A Ying
I am a "publisher," living in this industry for twenty years. Regardless of the achievements in cultural work or the extent of social impact, I am a "publisher" rather than a "bookseller." I hope that both those who know me and those who do not have this minimum understanding of me! This is also the dividing line where "a small error can lead to a great mistake." Although publishers must also consider money to sustain their livelihood and necessary business expenses, publishers seem to have something more important than money in this regard. The purpose of using publishing as a means to make money and the purpose of using publishing as a means to achieve beliefs and goals and receive reasonable compensation are the same in terms of methods, but their starting points are entirely different.—Zhang Jinglu
A tavern apprentice who only attended primary school, relying on his love for literature and his obsession with books, achieved, through relentless struggle, the status of a renowned publisher in Shanghai in the 1920s and 1930s. This is the first half of Zhang Jinglu's legendary life. This book not only narrates his personal experiences but also tells the anecdotes of the publishing world in Shanghai in the 1920s and 1930s, introducing literary schools such as the Saturday Group and the Creation Society. Dedicated readers can also glimpse the social landscape of the Republic of China and the important role of Shanghai as a cultural center at that time. The anecdotes of Zhang Jinglu's interactions with modern famous scholars such as Guo Moruo and Yu Dafu are also presented in the book.