Humanities Reader for High School Students - Senior Year 1

Author: Peng Changzheng, Editor-in-Chief
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2004-10-01
Features:
Several years ago, a graduate student from a renowned university in Beijing, before leaving for study abroad, sent a postcard to Reader magazine. It read: "The school has taught me the knowledge to make a living, 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 the launch of a Heartfelt Voices column where readers could freely express their thoughts, 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 had brought confusion and disorientation, making an increasing number of 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 matter with Mr. Deng Liangping of Guangdong Serious Enterprise Company. He shared the same sentiment and proposed compiling a series of humanities readers suitable for middle and high school students. Upon returning to Lanzhou and discussing with colleagues at the magazine, everyone agreed that it 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, followed by the difficult task of selecting various types of manuscripts. 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 issue would address a specific problem faced by this target audience, with one problem forming a theme and one theme constituting 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, carefully selected from hundreds or even thousands of submissions. Among these are works by renowned authors, as well as those by ordinary writers and many contributions from middle school students. The articles vary in style—some profound and majestic, others concise and elegant, and some passionate and vibrant—each imbued with a strong humanistic spirit.
The titles of each unit are designed to be engaging, such as "There Will Always Be a Window Open for You" in Volume 4 of the high school edition, "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 emerge." The editorial process was both a challenge to discern true gems and a passionate pursuit, yet also a source of frustration due to the inability to include all worthy works.
To ensure the best reading experience for middle school students, the 12 chief editors—each with diverse backgrounds—were invited to oversee the compilation of each volume. Among them are Hu Yaquan and Zheng Yuanxi, founders of Reader magazine; Chen Shaoquan, who served as editor-in-chief of Reader for eight years, dedicating his heart and soul to its growth; Sha Yexin, Bi Shumin, Cheng Damei, and Liu Yanmin, as well as scholar Zhou Guoping, editor-in-chief of Phoenix Weekly, and Zhang Lijun, a national-level teaching expert—all of whom are contracted writers for Reader and have far-reaching influence. The essayist Su Zhongjie, deeply concerned with the nation’s well-being and driven by a strong sense of justice; and Deng Liangping, who embodies both a businessman and a thinker of the people. 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 guide middle school students toward the best reading paths, the chief editors have written prefaces and chapter introductions for each volume. Some prefaces use stories to lead readers through the vibrant tapestry of life; others summarize life experiences with rationality; and some share personal reflections on life’s meaning and insights. The concise introductions are even more revealing, like darts piercing the deepest secrets of the soul, or rain nourishing parched hearts, accompanying students in their joys and sorrows. These richly philosophical texts add depth and resonance to the Reader Reader, making it a memorable read.
The Reader Humanities Reader, a product of collective effort, is about to be published. While some articles may not meet everyone’s expectations, it remains a pioneering 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 good from evil, encouraging them to pursue noble moral values.
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; humanity and humanistic thought are equally essential! A hearty 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.