Humanities Reader for High School Students - Grade 11 (Second Semester)

Author: Peng Changzheng, Editor-in-Chief
Publisher:
Publish 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 the 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 times. These touching words moved the editors, prompting the launch of a Heartfelt Voices column that allows readers to express their thoughts freely and seek "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 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, who 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 Humanities Reader. Later, it became difficult to select appropriate articles. After several editorial meetings, it was finally decided to center the Reader on the growth of middle school students, with a focus on humanities enlightenment. Each topic would address specific issues the target audience faces or will face, with one topic per unit. The 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. These articles feature works by renowned authors, as well as those by ordinary writers and many by middle school students. The pieces vary in style—some profound and majestic, others concise and elegant, some full of passion—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 the high school volume, "Seeing Language with 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 washing, though arduous, the gold will finally emerge." The selection process was both a challenge to discern true gems and a passionate pursuit, yet also a frustrating experience of missing out on some exceptional works. To address this, we invited 12 cultural figures from diverse backgrounds to serve as chief editors for each volume, hoping to gather wisdom to guide the Reader Humanities 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, and national-level teaching expert Zhang Lijun, are all Reader’s contracted writers, 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. These editors bring profound insights into the growth of human minds and societal development, offering unique perspectives on the compilation and refinement of the Reader Humanities Reader.
To help middle school students find the best reading path, the editors wrote prefaces and chapter introductions for each volume. The prefaces vary in approach—some use stories to guide readers through the richness of life; others offer rational summaries of life experiences; still others share personal reflections on life’s meaning and insights. The concise introductions are like darts, piercing the deepest parts of the soul, or like sweet rain, nourishing parched hearts. They accompany students in their joys and sorrows, breathing with them, feeling with them, and weeping with them. These thoughtful words add much color to the Reader Humanities Reader, leaving a lasting impression.
These philosophical texts, revealing hidden truths, are another highlight of the Reader Humanities Reader. The Reader Humanities Reader, born from the collective effort of many, is about to be published. While some articles may not meet everyone’s expectations, it is still a pioneering attempt by the Reader magazine to publish beyond its usual editorial scope. In line with the recent call from the Party Central Committee and the State Council to strengthen and improve the moral education of minors, we hope the Reader Humanities Reader will enhance students’ ability to discern right from wrong, beauty from ugliness, and good from evil, encouraging them to pursue noble moral sentiments and contribute meaningfully.
Here, 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 will not go astray! Literature alone is not enough in language education; humanity is equally essential! A feast for the soul, compiled from 23 years of Reader’s essence, presented to middle school students! The most readable middle school language reader.