Zhang Wentian Manuscript: An Outline of Western History

Author: [American] Howard Fast, translated by Zhang Wentian
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2003-07-01
Features: The manuscript was translated by Zhang Wentian when he served as an editor at the Commercial Press in 1924. The original work was The Story of Mankind by the American author Howard Fast. Zhang Wentian was one of the earliest Chinese writers to translate this book, and his translation offers a unique perspective and viewpoint. Since this manuscript was not included in the publication of Zhang Wentian's translated works, this facsimile edition holds significant value for research on Zhang Wentian. Howard Fast's The Story of Mankind was first published in 1921 and gained widespread popularity for its simple yet engaging narrative, fluent and vivid writing style, and has been translated into over twenty languages. Zhang Wentian was one of the earliest translators of this book into Chinese. He believed that the book "only briefly mentions China and India with a few words in Chapter 42 of the original, treating it as a mere afterthought. Unfortunately, even this brief mention contains many errors! I think removing this chapter would not be a loss to readers, and since the book is centered on Europeans and Americans, it would be more accurate to change the title to An Outline of Western History." This reflects his extraordinary critical spirit. At the end of Chapter 58, "The Liberation Movement," he directly inserted the success of the socialist revolution led by communists in Russia, showing readers new hope for social development. At the same time, due to Zhang Wentian's exceptional literary talent, his translation is precise and fluent, becoming a major feature of this edition. An Outline of Western History is the oldest authentic manuscript among the existing research materials on Zhang Wentian, as well as a rare early manuscript relic among the leaders of our Party. The book also includes letters from Zhang Wentian to the Commercial Press editors Zuo Shunsheng and Zhou Baodi from that time, as well as illustrations from the original The Story of Mankind used for translation.