Reading History Has Academic Value (Volumes 1 and 2)

Author: Leng Chengjin
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2002-01-01
Features: This book introduces the art of understanding the emperors; analyzes the knowledge of success and failure in governance; explores the relationship between politics and morality; and delves into the wisdom of adapting to changing circumstances. Mao Zedong loved history and was also knowledgeable about it. He not only carefully read and annotated the Twenty-Four Histories but also paid attention to many anecdotal and unofficial histories. Even before his death, he asked his staff to find a large-print edition of "Rongzhai Suibi" from the Beijing Library for him to read. Mao Zedong's wisdom in saving the country and his governance strategies can all be traced back to Chinese history. What is the essence of reading history? This book employs a rigorous historical thinking logic to analyze the successes and failures of past dynasties and examines the relationship between politics and morality from a higher perspective. To achieve this is not necessarily to match the great wisdom and virtue of the sages, but it should still be considered as knowing how to "read history." Of course, truly understanding history is not easy, as the saying goes, "After finishing reading, one's hair turns white." Without a grand vision, profound life experience, and extensive knowledge, even if one can recite historical texts from memory, it remains "shallow knowledge gained from books." Only by integrating history with one's own life can one truly be said to understand history. And once a person reaches this level, they may even be able to "create history."