Navigating the Sea of Learning · Ji Xianlin's Autobiography

Author: Ji Xianlin
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-06-01
Features: "I have devoted my entire life to teaching and research, and now I am approaching my nineties. Over such a long period, to say that I have had no experiences or lessons is impossible. To say that I have had many experiences, both direct and indirect, is also not true. I am indeed an old horse, and it is only natural for me to have some understanding of the path. However, whether the path I have recognized is correct, I am not certain. I have never liked lying in my life. Now that I must write, I will speak the truth—I will not exaggerate, nor will I feign humility. If there are any shortcomings, it is due to the limitations of my abilities, not intentional." Professor Ji Xianlin is a towering figure in China's academic world, now in his advanced years. His prose, known for its simplicity and sincerity, has been widely read and beloved by readers. However, as a scholar, the field he specialized in remains relatively unknown. This book was first published by Shanxi People's Publishing House in 2000. This reissue by our press aims to introduce readers who admire Professor Ji to his academic journey and career. This edition also specially includes two articles by Professor Ji Xianlin that were published in the journal Wen Shi Zhe but have not appeared in his collected works: "My Primary and Secondary School Days" and "My High School Days" (which are combined into one chapter titled "My School Days and High School"). These articles provide a systematic understanding of Professor Ji's growth. Here, we would like to extend our special thanks to Li Yujie, the secretary of Professor Ji, and Zhao Yu of Shanxi People's Publishing House. They have devoted significant effort to the publication of this book, and their dedication deeply moved us. Finally, we hope this book will be well-received by readers and serve as a guide, especially for young friends, to help them navigate their paths. We believe this is also what Professor Ji Xianlin would have hoped for."