Leisurely Essays (Phoenix Branch Collection)

孙家洲Phoenix Books, Ltd. · ChinaJun 2023

Rating 4.0
Word count
138K words
Chapters
47
ISBN
9787550634893

Tags

Essays and Miscellany Silk Road RelicsLandscape JourneyPatriotismReviews and PrefacesHistorical EssaysScholar ReminiscenceScholarly CritiqueDocumentary Narrative

Summary

This collection of essays by the renowned historian Sun Jiazhou is divided into four parts. The first comprises reminiscences, book reviews, and prefaces and postscripts, including tributes to four distinguished scholars—Zheng Changgan, Li Hengmei, Feng Qiyong, and Xie Guihua—as well as the author's commentary on various scholarly views and historical events. The second part records what he saw and learned in his travels across mountains and rivers, such as his reflections at Sima Qian's tomb and his observations while visiting the remains of a Han-dynasty palace from two thousand years ago in present-day Russia. The third part gathers insights from his reading at his desk, such as his interpretations of the ruler-minister relationship likened to that of master and dog-horse, and of historical phenomena such as "commoner," "vulgar Confucian," and "slander," revealing the author's true temperament and view of history. The fourth part concerns his hometown's history and a wanderer's feelings, showing both the downward fortunes of ordinary local figures and an absurd and arduous historical era, as well as the noble character and steadfast will of earlier generations of scholars.

Editor's review

This is an essay collection by the historian Sun Jiazhou, with four sections each having its own focus: memoirs of four scholars—Zheng Changgan, Li Hengmei, Feng Qiyong, and Xie Guihua—capture the integrity and warmth of earlier generations of academics; the "travels" section ranges from reflections at Sima Qian's tomb to observations of Han-dynasty palace remains in present-day Russia, turning a historian's sense of place into readable prose; the "reading" section interprets historical phenomena such as the lord-minister relationship likened to master and horse, and figures like the "commoner," "vulgar Confucian," and "slander," revealing the author's true temperament and view of history; and the chapters on hometown and the feelings of a wanderer portray both the fates of ordinary people and the character and will of earlier scholars amid absurd and difficult times. The writing is plain without being dry, its scholarly depth concealed within everyday narrative—suitable for casual reading on quiet evenings, and as a window onto the spiritual world of contemporary scholars.

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Reading tips

  1. You may read the four sections in order, or start with the "travels" or hometown chapters and then return to the scholarly memoirs.
  2. When reading the memoirs and reviews, look up the scholars and works mentioned to expand your reading leads.
  3. One or two essays a day is enough; essays should not be rushed—leave room for afterthought and association.
  4. When the author interprets a historical phenomenon, try comparing it with your own general historical knowledge.

About the publisher

Phoenix Books, Ltd. China · Founded in 1984

Phoenix Books, Ltd. specializes in collating and publishing Chinese classics in literature, history, and philosophy, along with related academic works. Its publishing areas cover ancient poetry, classical literature, folk literature, literary appreciation, medicine, and Eastern philosophy, forming distinctive sectors in classical text collation, historical documents, and academic research. Its catalogue includes poetry collections such as The Collected Works of Su Shi, Li Bai, Xin Qiji, and Wang Wei; classical drama and fiction such as Strange Tales from a Chinese Studio and The Injustice to Dou E; and scholarly editions such as the Collated Edition of Zhouhou Beiji Fang (2 volumes) and An Introduction to the Study of Chinese Texts Abroad (Revised Edition). Its author resources include scholars such as An Pingqiu, Zhang Peiheng, Ma Zhanggen, Zeng Zaozhuang, Yu Xianhao, and Yang Zhong, as well as classic writers such as Pu Songling and Guan Hanqing.

Contents

  1. 版权信息
  2. 弁言
  3. 自序
  4. 第一辑 追忆·书评·序跋
  5. 郑昌淦先生小传
  6. 李衡眉先生学述
  7. 流金岁月
  8. 追忆谢桂华先生二三事
  9. 读李元庆《晋学初集》感言
  10. 略读《前近代中国の刑罚》所引发的思考
  11. 评丁鼎新著《〈仪礼·丧服〉考论》
  12. 轻扣昔日少年心扉 触摸沉重历史一页
  13. 《史记》学的第四次“结集”
  14. 《中华名门才俊》序言
  15. 《学苑春秋》序言
  16. 《王子今学术经典文集》序言
  17. “报答春光知有处，应须美酒送生涯”
  18. 《酒史与酒文化研究》第二辑前言
  19. 《里耶秦简博物馆藏秦简》序言
  20. 《史记》是一部奇书
  21. 中国古史中的“权势”“权术”与“人性”
  22. 薛小林《争霸西州——匈奴、西羌与两汉的兴衰》序言
  23. 第二辑 游观·释古·私见
  24. 合阳“伊尹故里”试说“伊尹之谜”
  25. 太史公墓前感悟的“班马异同”
  26. “最北方的汉式宫殿”及其历史解读
  27. “虎落”遗物考释
  28. 第三辑 伏读·顿悟·呓语
  29. “古史分期”与“百家争鸣”
  30. 盛衰巨变与“盛世”透视
  31. 从“犬马”之喻看君臣关系
  32. “俗儒”批判的历史解读
  33. 汉代的“布衣”意识
  34. “掩卷而思”与“废书而叹”
  35. 从“说大人，则藐之”到“谈何容易”
  36. 汉武帝“盛世”之累：“诽谤之法”与思想专制
  37. 汉代士人论“诽谤”罪名的构成因素
  38. 汉光武帝明诏禁绝“盛称虚美”
  39. 第四辑 家史·乡情·游子
  40. 春节忆旧：我的家史
  41. 东宋“传奇”两则
  42. 有点“个案”意义的高考之路
  43. 初入人民大学的“历险”回忆
  44. 坎坷人生：我的发小三亮
  45. 莱州方言中的“反秦”意识遗存
  46. 《莱州文史要览》后记
  47. 退休感怀

FAQ

Is this book a strict academic work? No. It is Sun Jiazhou's essay collection, including memoirs, book reviews and prefaces, travel observations, reading reflections, and hometown writing. Its scholarship lies in perspective and judgment, while the style is that of prose—suitable for casual reading rather than specialized research.
Can I read it without a background in history? Yes. Most chapters begin with specific people and events and do not rely on technical terms; general historical knowledge is enough for smooth reading, and the analyses of historical phenomena can serve as an entry point for understanding history.
Who are the four scholars recalled in the book? According to the introduction, they are the renowned scholars Zheng Changgan, Li Hengmei, Feng Qiyong, and Xie Guihua. The author writes memoirs based on personal experience and association, through which readers can sense the character of earlier academics.
Is it suitable to read in one sitting? Not necessarily. The four sections have different themes and the pieces are relatively independent, so it suits reading in installments; reading too much at once can dilute the aftertaste of essays, and a steady pace better reveals the feeling behind the words.

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About the author

孙家洲 Author

Sun Jiazhou is an author about whom relatively limited public information is currently available. Only one work of his is held in the collection, the collection of essays and sketches entitled Youyou Suibi (Leisurely Jottings), included in the “Phoenix Branch Essays” series. This work indicates that his writing belongs to the category of essays and miscellaneous prose, drawing largely on everyday observations and reflections on reading, in a calm and unhurried style that carries the relaxed, intimate quality typical of the essay form. As no clear records of his life, educational background, or research interests have been found, a more detailed account of the man and his scholarship is difficult to provide. Judging from the work available, however, Sun Jiazhou's writing emphasizes the unfolding of personal experience and the natural expression of temperament rather than the construction of an elaborate system. The very title Leisurely Jottings suggests a writing stance of easygoing self-possession, suited to readers who prefer light reading and take pleasure in discovering the flavor of life through small, fragmentary texts.