British Sketches

Author: Chu Anping
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-10-01
Features:
A British person: A fool;
Two British people: A football match;
Three British people: An empire.
—Above are British proverbs
One monk carries water to drink;
Two monks carry water together to drink;
Three monks have no water to drink.
—Above are Chinese proverbs
Reasons to read this book: Many of the virtues of the Chinese nation, which have almost vanished in urban life, can still be preserved in rural society. People in the countryside are generally more trustworthy, uphold integrity, and value fairness compared to those in cities. Farmers' hearts are also more honest, down-to-earth, simple, and pure compared to intellectuals. This shows that the weaknesses common among modern intellectuals are not inherent to the Chinese nation; rather, they are mostly attributed to their education and the environments they are exposed to.
—Chu Anping, Chinese and British
Recommended for the following readers:
Scholars or enthusiasts of modern Chinese history,
Scholars or enthusiasts of Chinese cultural history,
Scholars or enthusiasts of Sino-Western cultural exchange history,
Scholars or enthusiasts of folk studies,
Students from primary to high school
The main text of this book is British Notes, supplemented by British, French, and Chinese. The four essays in the appendix are all discussions about the British, aligning with the theme of the main text. Moreover, the essay Chinese and British itself is the preface written by the author for British Notes, and thus is included in this publication.
This book originates from the author's direct observations of Britain six decades ago. It vividly describes the past and present of Britain, such as the origins of the Parliament, the rise and fall of the monarchy, the history of the tradition of freedom, and the history of local self-government. It also provides a meticulous and profound insight into the temperament, habits, and character of the British. With independent insights, unique perspectives, and engaging storytelling, it has long been classified as a classic.