History and Historiography

Author: Jian Bozan
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2005-05-01
Features: This book is an important introductory work on the study of history written by the esteemed Jian Bozan. It is divided into two major themes: "Historical Materials" and "Historical Methodology." The "historical materials" he refers to are not the general term for historical data, but rather "historiography," which encompasses the specific approaches and methodologies for studying historical materials. The "historical methodology" primarily refers to the theories and methods of studying history, commonly known as "historiography."
The title "A Small Book by a Great Scholar" is quite playful. The term "great scholar" has two meanings: first, the author of the book is a great scholar; second, the book is written for the general public, serving as reading material for everyone. The term "small book" simply refers to its length, as it is relatively brief. However, in terms of academic rigor, it is not light but rather quite substantial. In fact, the size of a book is relative—ten thousand words might seem 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 overload, people have too much to learn. Supplementary reading has become a frequent necessity. If one is not skilled at it, grabbing bits here and 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 it. 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 like medicine, it’s fine too—the dosage is small, easy to take, and easy to digest.
Another purpose is to contribute to cultural preservation. We have gathered and published works that have stood the test of time and are 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 to be of great value over the years. 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 lose much of their readership, except for those studying the history of science and technology. In contrast, the humanities are different—many books remain fresh and relevant no matter how often they are read.
However, this series is not entirely republished old books. We also want to invite renowned scholars to write new small books that combine academic depth with accessibility to meet the growing needs of readers.
The "Great Scholar’s Small Book" series has a small format, making it easy for readers to tuck into their pockets and read a few pages anytime, anywhere—while waiting for someone, queuing for tickets, on a bus, or in a park. With more readers engaging in such activities, society will be enriched with cultural vibrancy and a spirit of learning. Isn’t that a good thing?