Tolerance

Name: Tolerance
ISBN: 9787542935021

Hendrik Willem van Loon / 逸凡Lixin Accounting Publishing House · ChinaJun 2020

4.4

Word count: 197K words
Chapters: 34
ISBN: 9787542935021

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Summary

In Tolerance, Van Loon uses his magic pen to explore, from a humanist standpoint, the causes of humanity's spiritual 'intolerance,' vividly depicting how, along the most prominent thread of Western culture—the development of Christian culture—humanity has struggled unceasingly against intolerance. In this book Van Loon sketches a magnificent history of human intellectual emancipation, enabling us to rediscover and more deeply understand the tortuous development of politics, religion, culture and society and the long journey of humanity's quest for self-liberation; at the same time, with profound humanistic care and a spirit that champions freedom of thought, he analyzes the arduous path humanity has traveled in seeking the right to think.

Editor's review

Tolerance is a classic humanistic work by the Dutch-American historian Hendrik Willem van Loon, first published in 1925. It is not a strict chronological history but a profound reflection, with 'tolerance' as its thread, on bigotry and intolerance in the history of human thought. In his distinctive style, Van Loon turns complex historical and intellectual issues into accessible narrative, recounting conflicts and persecutions from ancient Greece to modern Europe driven by differences of religion, race and belief, and revealing that the root of intolerance often lies in fear and ignorance. He argues that the progress of reason, the spread of knowledge and the growth of understanding are the paths to a tolerant society. The book's value lies in transcending specific historical events to address universal weaknesses in human nature and to offer a vision imbued with the humanist spirit. In today's world, as different civilizations and values increasingly collide, rereading Tolerance reminds us how precious dialogue and inclusiveness are. This Lixin Accounting Publishing House edition offers a fluent translation that preserves Van Loon's friendly, insightful style, making it a reliable introduction to the thought of this great humanist.

Who it's for

A good fit for

Readers interested in intellectual history and the development of human civilization
Thinkers who wish to understand the roots of social prejudice and conflict
Beginners seeking accessible classics in the humanities and social sciences
Readers who enjoy profound ideas presented in a storytelling style

Not a good fit for

Readers seeking a strictly chronological, annalistic general history
Specialist researchers expecting a wealth of current scholarship and textual evidence

Reading tips

Read alongside Van Loon's The Story of Mankind and The Story of the Bible for a fuller sense of his view of history
Do not fixate on the precision of specific historical facts; focus instead on the humanist spirit running through the book
The end of each chapter often condenses Van Loon's views most tightly and rewards repeated reading

About the publisher

Lixin Accounting Publishing House China · Founded in 1941

Lixin Accounting Publishing House focuses on textbooks and academic works in accounting, finance and economics, and auditing, while also drawing on its catalogue to expand into general reading in foreign literature, world classics, management, inspirational growth and personal finance. Representative titles include classic translations such as The Wealth of Nations and Meditations, the Quti Yan series on management communication and personal finance, and selected short stories by Dostoevsky. Its authors include Jiang Xiaomo, Yantao, Li Huiquan, Ye Zhou and Qin Renjie, as well as foreign classics writers such as Adam Smith, Marcus Aurelius and Dostoevsky. Public information is limited; its publishing character is reflected in a diverse lineup that combines professional finance and economics publishing with general reading.

版权信息
译者的话
前言
第一章祸起无知
第二章古希腊人
第三章禁锢的开始
第四章基督的曙光
第五章牢笼
第六章纯洁的生活
第七章宗教审判庭
第八章漫漫求知路
第九章向书本宣战
第十章这是一本怎样的历史书籍
第十一章文艺复兴
第十二章宗教改革
第十三章伊拉斯谟
第十四章拉伯雷
第十五章旧事物的新招牌
第十六章再洗礼教徒
第十七章索兹尼叔侄
第十八章蒙田
第十九章阿米尼斯
第二十章布鲁诺
第二十一章斯宾诺莎
第二十二章新天国
第二十三章太阳王
第二十四章腓特烈大帝
第二十五章伏尔泰
第二十六章百科全书
第二十七章革命的不宽容
第二十八章莱辛
第二十九章汤姆·佩恩
第三十章最后的百年
后记但这并非一个幸福的世界

FAQ

Is this a strict history book?

Not exactly. It is closer to an essay on intellectual history, using historical events as examples with 'tolerance' as its core. Van Loon's narrative bears a strong personal stamp and humanistic care; it is not a neutral academic work.

Are the book's views outdated today?

Its analysis of intolerance as rooted in ignorance and fear has value beyond its time. Although the historical examples mostly predate the early 20th century, its call for a spirit of tolerance remains deeply relevant today.

What are the features of this edition?

This Lixin Accounting Publishing House edition is one of the Chinese translations. The translation is smooth and it is a relatively common popular edition, suitable for readers encountering Van Loon's work for the first time.

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About the author

Hendrik Willem van Loon Author · United States · 1882–1944

Hendrik Willem van Loon (1882–1944) was a Dutch-American writer and historian known for his popular works on history and the humanities. He rose to fame in 1921 with The Story of Mankind and continued writing for general readers; this catalog includes 49 of his works. Representative titles include The Story of Mankind, Tolerance, The Story of the Bible, The Home of Mankind, and Van Loon's Geography, along with collected classics and adapted editions for young readers. His writing spans world history, foreign literature, popular science, philosophy, and inspirational growth, and he was skilled at presenting complex historical developments and humanistic knowledge to a broad audience in clear, lively prose that is both informative and readable. His works have circulated widely and remain accessible introductions to Western history and culture. Public information about his detailed biography is limited, so it is not elaborated here.

逸凡 Author

Eight works have been published under the name Yi Fan, yet public information about this author is limited: nationality, dates of birth and death, and educational background are not clearly documented. The books in the collection show that Yi Fan writes across several fields. There are works on history and popular science, such as Tolerance, The Story of Mankind, A Brief History of the United States and A Brief History of the Earth; social-science writing such as The Home of Mankind; and titles in the "Time Library" series on self-improvement and personal growth, including Thinking and Success, The Capital of a Lifetime and A Message to Garcia. Aimed at general readers, these works set out historical developments, explain scientific knowledge, or offer guidance on self-improvement and conduct, combining information with readability for introductory reading and everyday learning.