A History of Chinese Popular Literature - (Illustrated Treasure Edition) (2 Volumes)

Author: Zheng Zhenduo
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-09-01
Features: Preface to the "Commercial Press Collection"
The Commercial Press was founded in 1897, with a commitment to introducing Western learning and compiling textbooks to promote education and enlighten the masses. During the May Fourth New Culture Movement, the academic community urgently needed advanced books. Mr. Zhang Yuanji and Mr. Gao Mengdan of the Press, together with other distinguished scholars like Cai Yuanpei and Liang Qichao, planned a grand vision to compile new works in various fields to meet the demands of the time. This marked the beginning of the Press's publication of academic works. Over the following decades, thanks to the efforts of scholars both at home and abroad, the Press has achieved remarkable accomplishments in various fields. Whether in literature, linguistics, history, philosophy, political science, economics, psychology, sociology, or other scientific disciplines, there are many pioneering works and seminal contributions in the history of modern Chinese academia. The publication of academic works has further enabled the Press to serve the cultivation of modern Chinese education and the construction of a new national culture, sharing in the historical glory of Chinese academia.
After the 1950s, while the Press prioritized translating world-renowned works and compiling bilingual dictionaries, the publication of academic works never ceased. In recent years, numerous works have been published, and the Press plans to expand its efforts in the future to contribute to the development of Chinese culture. In the blink of an eye, a century has passed. Reflecting on the Press's long-standing tradition of compiling various series, we have decided to select and compile works that reflect academic trends of a certain period, the perspectives of specific academic schools, new achievements in disciplines, innovative approaches to problems, and other works worthy of long-term reference into the "Commercial Press Collection" for preservation. This is intended to enrich cultural heritage and facilitate academic research. However, given the magnitude of this task, we may not be able to accomplish it alone. We sincerely hope that readers and scholars from all walks of life will join us in this endeavor.