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History Stories Can Be Told in This Way!
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When I was a student, I both liked and disliked the course of history. It may sound a little ridiculous, but it was true. I liked listening to and reading history stories but didn’t like learning with the thought that this or that was going to be tested upon. As early as I was a teenager, I already read quite a few history books, such as Napoléon Bonaparte and the Korean War. Even today I still watch “Lecture Room” (百家讲坛) quite often. I firmly believe what Francis Bacon said: Histories make men wise.
As a Chinese, we’re generally more interested in Chinese History. We would be full of pride and admiration when talking about the prosperity of the Han or Tang Dynasties. However, when it comes to the Ming Dynasty, I would feel a sense of dislike and even a little oppressed. We just cannot help but think of the cruel and inhumane policies and practices implemented by the emperors. I even don’t want to read anything concerning that dynasty. I want to take delight, rather than a depressing experience in reading a book.
One day, I was amazed to find some of my colleagues reading a book with great interest. What was it that aroused such enthusiasm? It turned out to be the one I heard about several years ago: Just the Things That Happened in the Ming Dynasty. The pen name of the author is the Bright Moon of That Year. It is about the Ming Dynasty of course. “How do you like this book so much?” I asked in surprise. “Do you like watching somebody being tortured or something?” “No! I think you have a mistaken impression about that dynasty.” She replied, “People in the Ming Dynasty were liberal, even more open-minded than we are today. I mean most of the time except the periods reigned by Zhu Yuanzhang and Zhu Di.” She continued, “It’s fun reading this book. I recommend you read this book also and you would find it worthwhile.”
A friend of mine, who was sitting nearby, kindly offered to lend me this set of books the next day. You can imagine how rejoiced I was. I just couldn’t wait to find out what kind of book it is. I made myself a cup of steaming coffee, had a piece of my favorite music playing, sat back in the sofa and began enjoying the reading of this wonderful book.
This set consists of 7 books, spanning 300 years of the Ming Dynasty. It’s no easy job to tell the stories in a fun and methodical manner. Then how did he manage to write this book so well as to be so well received? First, the writing style is very casual. You would feel that he seems sitting beside you, sometimes telling an interesting story, other times just chatting with you. And he added his own opinions about the historical figures and events while relating the stories. What is quite different from most other history books is that he told the serious stories in a humorous teasing and even a little bit facetious tone. For example, he sometimes referred to Emperor Zhu Yuanzhang as comrade Zhu and officials as civil servants. As the author himself put it, he just wants to prove that history can be so written that it will be fun to read. He also claims that the book is based on historical facts despite the light touch he wrote with.
Although I only read the first book, I feel it is really entertaining and I don’t think that he is making up stories or talking irresponsibly just for the sake of making hilarious effects. Maybe it can not be called history books in the real sense, but it is absolutely a good try to popularize the human history. I strongly recommend this book to you guys!
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Post comment Comment (10 replies)
- Reply straybirdslu
- you have a good taste of history books and i envy you there.
- Reply touringchina
- a historical book serize which contains 7 thick books,wow,that's a huge workload to complete reading them. it may may cost me a whole year's leisure time.
- Reply bluephoebe
- I like this book, although I only heard the fragments of it on radio. I like the way the writer put things together, I like the casual tone he used. It’s really a great book.
- Reply redapple2
- I've heard of it for many times,but I never read it.after reading your explaination, I have a strong curiosity to see it.maybe several days later,i will do that.
- Reply rich
- straybirdslu: you have a good taste of history books and i envy you there.you would also have a fun experience reading the book, i think.:-)
- Reply rich
- touringchina: a historical book serize which contains 7 thick books,wow,that's a huge workload to complete reading them. it may may cost me a whole year's leisure tto tell you the truth, i've finished the whole set. it sounds frightening indeed, but once you start, it'll be hard for you to stop. it is fun to read! i can assure you. :-)
- Reply rich
- bluephoebe: I like this book, although I only heard the fragments of it on radio. I like the way the writer put things together, I like the casual tone he used. Iwhen i got the set of books, 7 books altogether, i doubted if i could possibly finish reading all of them. however, it turned out that i finished one in just several days!
- Reply rich
- redapple2: I've heard of it for many times,but I never read it.after reading your explaination, I have a strong curiosity to see it.maybe several days later,i wihehe， reading a good book is like talking to a wise man. i believe you'll benefit from it.
- Reply gaoyichen
- I happy to read your blog, I like this writing style. It share us real value of this book. I think that you very enjoy reading and enjoy history.
