Just passed history: Repairing private history, watching a thousand years as one day

Author: Wang An
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-06-01
Features: Compared to general history books, Wang An's work has great advantages and uniqueness. First, writing history from close range, almost on the ground. Just-past history seems easy to write, but in fact, it's difficult. Everyone knows the facts, yet how dare you fabricate them? It's especially easy to be criticized. Don't look at Wang An as simple-minded, but he's bold—closer to the truth, the more daring he is to depict it in detail, without fearing criticism. Second, personal historiography, breaking the taboo of "historical worship," and continuing the new tradition of contemporary Chinese private historiography. Wang An's political history is written by ordinary people, using Wang An's perspective to observe and judge, picking and choosing, circling and dotting. It doesn't force anyone to read or accept it. As for how much is depicted, it doesn't require the authority's concern—there will be public evaluation. Third, alternating narration and commentary, avoiding a pile of historical materials, but supplemented with critiques—critiques that are deeply perceptive and seasoned, with a unique Wang An style. They are effortlessly picked up, concise and wise, light and humorous. The narrative and commentary interweave, permeating Wang An's anxieties and care, bitterness and sweetness, glory and dreams, like a special kind of silk that is worth pondering. Fourth, first-class writing. No matter how big the event is in Wang An's hands, it becomes small. His thoughts are vast and divergent, able to connect seemingly unrelated things and find meaning in them. Truly, he has cultivated like a deity, forming his own style. This book is a chronicle of major events in China in 2003, combining narration and commentary to record China's "SARS incident," as well as hot topics like "Referee convicted of bribery for 10 years" and "Self-funded political participation."