Selected Nobel Prize Acceptance Speeches: Peace Volume. Literature Volume (English Edition)

Author: Niu Hongying, Shan Liying
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2005-10-01
Features: With the development of cultural and economic exchanges between China and the world, the enthusiasm for learning English in China has been on the rise. Some people learn for work, others for exams, and some for interest. However, it is not hard to notice that many people's motivation for learning English is very utilitarian. This is not without reason. The increasingly tense pace of life and survival pressure make it rare for us to settle down and quietly read a book, engage in a dialogue with the wise, or with our own souls. This book is written for those who want to improve their English skills while also nurturing their souls.
On November 27, 1895, Swedish scientist Alfred Nobel left a will to donate his entire fortune of over nine million U.S. dollars (equivalent to over ten billion U.S. dollars today) to establish the Nobel Prize fund. The annual interest from the fund would be awarded to those who have made significant contributions to human culture and science. The Nobel Prize is divided into five categories: Physics, Chemistry, Physiology or Medicine, Literature, and Peace. In 1968, the Swedish Bank added an Economics Prize, which was first awarded in 1969. Due to the stipulation that 10% of the annual interest must be reinvested into the fund, along with unawarded prizes being added back, the fund has grown steadily.
The Nobel Foundation held its first award ceremony on December 10, 1901. Since then, the Nobel Prize has been awarded annually, except for a few years during World War II (1940–1942). The prize is awarded on December 10, the anniversary of Nobel's death, in a grand ceremony at the grand concert hall in Stockholm. The Peace Prize is awarded in Oslo, Norway. The Nobel Prize has a history of over a century. The laureates are giants in their respective fields, not only achieving remarkable professional accomplishments but also possessing wise minds and thoughts. While we may not be able to match their professional achievements, at least we can try to understand their thoughts. And their speeches upon receiving the prize are the concentrated expression of these thoughts. In their speeches, they reflect on their fields of study, survey the development and changes of the world, and call for attention to knowledge and the spiritual world of humanity.
Each speech in this book is divided into three parts: a photograph and introduction of the speaker (including nationality, biography, major works or contributions), the speech text, and annotations on difficult points. Some speeches by Literature laureates are quite lengthy, so they have been appropriately edited. At the end of the book, there is Alfred Nobel's will, as well as articles about the background and interesting anecdotes of the Nobel Prize.
This book is aimed at college students and readers with a certain foundation in English. It not only helps readers improve their English skills but also hopes to introduce them to the thoughts of these human elites. Through reading, readers can enhance their self-cultivation and quality, as these speeches are the sincere voices from the depths of the speakers' souls. Perhaps such articles are the true essence of a spiritual tonic.