Humanities Reader for High School Volume 2

Author: Peng Changzheng, Editor-in-Chief
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2004-10-01
Features:
Several years ago, a graduate student from a prestigious university in Beijing, before leaving for study abroad, sent a postcard to Reader magazine. It read: "The school has taught me the knowledge to survive, and Reader has taught me the principles of being a person. Thank you, editors!" Such letters are received by Reader every day, especially around the Spring Festival and graduation seasons. These touching words moved the editors, prompting them to launch a Heartfelt Voices column that allows readers to express their thoughts freely, seeking "resonance with shared voices and aspirations." At the same time, they strongly conveyed a message—the advent of the information age and the rapid changes in social life have brought confusion and disorientation, making more and more readers yearn for responsible media to focus on the growth of their minds and the solace of their spirits.
Two years ago, while on a business trip to Guangzhou, I discussed this with Mr. Deng Liangping of Guangdong Serious Enterprise Company, and he shared the same sentiment. He proposed compiling a series of humanities readers suitable for high school and middle school students. Upon returning to Lanzhou and discussing with colleagues at the magazine, everyone agreed that this was a worthwhile endeavor. Thus, the editorial work for the Reader Humanities Reader series, Middle School Edition, was launched simultaneously in Lanzhou and Guangzhou in August 2002. Over the past two years, the editorial process has undergone multiple revisions.
Initially, the challenge lay in structuring the Reader Reader’s format. Subsequently, the difficulty shifted to selecting appropriate articles. After several editorial meetings, it was finally decided to center the content around the growth of middle school students, with a focus on humanities enlightenment. Each topic would address specific issues the target audience is experiencing or will face, with one topic forming a unit. The Reader Reader is divided into two volumes—middle school and high school—each containing six books, totaling 220 units. Each unit includes 3–7 articles, all carefully selected from a pool of dozens or even hundreds of submissions. These articles feature works by renowned authors, as well as those by ordinary writers and many contributions from middle school students. The pieces range from profound and majestic to concise and elegant, all imbued with a strong humanistic spirit.
The titles of each unit are designed to be engaging, such as Volume 4 of the High School Edition—"There Will Always Be a Window Open for You," "Seeing Chinese Language Through a Third Eye," and "The Voice of History." These titles are filled with poetic charm and rational reflection. As the ancients said, "Through countless sifting and filtering, though arduous, the gold will eventually surface." The editorial process was both a challenge to discern true gems and a passionate pursuit, yet also a frustrating experience of missing out on many worthy works. To address this, we invited 12 cultural figures from diverse backgrounds to serve as chief editors for each volume, hoping to gather more wise minds to guide the Reader Reader. Among them, Hu Yaquan and Zheng Yuanxi are the founders of Reader magazine; Chen Shaoquan served as its editor-in-chief for eight years, dedicating his heart and soul to its growth. Sha Yexin, Bi Shumin, Cheng Damei, and Liu Yanmin, along with scholar Zhou Guoping, editor-in-chief of Phoenix Weekly Deng Kangyan, and national-level teaching expert Zhang Lijun, are all contracted writers for Reader, whose works have had a far-reaching impact. Essayist Su Zhongjie is deeply concerned about the nation, driven by a strong sense of justice. Deng Liangping embodies both a businessman and a thinker from the grassroots. These chief editors bring profound insights into the growth of human minds and societal development, offering unique perspectives on the compilation and refinement of the Reader Reader.
To help middle school students find the best reading path, the chief editors have contributed introductions and chapter guides for each volume. The introductions vary in style—some use stories to paint vivid pictures of life’s diversity; others summarize life’s lessons through rational reflections; and some share personal experiences to interpret and contemplate life. The concise guides are even more insightful, like darts piercing the deepest souls or sweet rain nourishing parched hearts. They accompany students in their joys and sorrows, breathing with them, feeling with them, and weeping with them. These enriching and thought-provoking texts add depth to the Reader Reader, leaving a lasting impression.
The Reader Humanities Reader, a product of collective effort, is about to be published. While some articles may not meet perfect standards, it represents an attempt by Reader magazine to produce a book distinct from its usual editorial work. In line with the recent call by the Party Central Committee and the State Council to strengthen and improve the moral education of minors, we hope the Reader Reader will enhance students’ ability to discern right from wrong, beauty from ugliness, and virtue from vice, encouraging them to pursue noble moral standards.
In this spirit, we dedicate the Reader Humanities Reader to the future pillars of the nation, to this era where humanistic care is indispensable, and to all those who are confused yet yearn for healthy growth! Children who love Reader magazine will not go astray! Literature alone is not enough in Chinese language education; it must also be grounded in humanistic thought! A feast for the soul, compiled from 23 years of Reader’s essence, presented to middle school students! The most readable middle school Chinese language reader.