New Youth

Author: Chen Duxiu
Publisher:
Publication Date: 1999-01-01
Features: Here, there are the grand ambitions of politicians, the deep reflections of thinkers, the vast knowledge of scholars, the passion of writers, and the common sense and sorrows of ordinary people. Regardless of which category, there is always something worth telling in their "stories of reception." In other words, while the charm of the book itself is undoubtedly important, the "long shadows" it leaves in history are equally captivating. Unlike grand theories in academic circles, this series aims to bridge the gap between expert knowledge and popular interest, using "reading" to trace the footsteps of our predecessors and enrich the spiritual experience and historical awareness of contemporary people. The key lies in "empathetic understanding," rather than judgment and condemnation. The specific strategy is to integrate the review of the book itself with the narration of its "reception history," and to incorporate personal reading experiences. If the "magic pen" of the experts who write the prefaces can spark the public's interest in reading and allow "old books" to engage with the spiritual lives of Chinese people in the "new century," then the achievement would be immense. At the end of the day, books are not necessarily better the newer they are, and people do not necessarily become more vibrant with age. This is why it is necessary to occasionally look back at history—including reading good books that have not completely lost their relevance. This book collects Chen Duxiu's essays, musings, and correspondence from 1915 to 1921, documenting the author's intellectual journey. It calls for democracy and science, studies Marxism, and urges the Chinese working class to step onto the political stage.