Historical Anecdotes (Volume 8)

Name: Historical Anecdotes (Volume 8)
ISBN: 9787101152548

徐俊 / 严晓星Zhonghua Book Company · ChinaOct 2021

4.2

Word count: 119K words
Chapters: 89
ISBN: 9787101152548

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Summary

This volume opens with "Teacher Chonghe's Home" by Bai Qianshen, one of Zhang Chonghe's most accomplished students—every small detail revealing deep affection. As a shared space for lovers of anecdotes, Gudian also aspires to be like the Zhang family living room, where guests are all scholars, conversation sparkles, and every glance meets treasures. In Volume 7, Chen Xiaowei traced a trip to Japan by the "high-end antique dealer" Bai Jian; in this volume, Zhao Chunyuan writes about the Bai Jian he encountered in his later years, after he had changed his name to Bai Longping—showing the same figure from multiple dimensions. The collector Zhou Zhaoxiang, who complained about Bai Jian in his diary, is portrayed by Shi Rui as "a suit and a queue combined in one person," positioning him as "one of the典型 figures at the turn of the old and new in the early 20th century." Also typical figures of that "turn of the old and new" in this volume include Gu Hongming, who "kept a long queue and held restorationist views," Zhang Shizhao, who survived every change of regime, and Yuan Shikai, who steered the course of history. Ai Junchuan reveals Gu Hongming's little-known practice of early education, Hu Wenhui exhaustively explores the meaning and use of Zhang Shizhao's nickname "Tiger Chief," and Meng Fanzhi examines Zhou Fu's role in Yuan Shikai's rise in politics from Korea—all displaying the characteristics of the "old-new transition" and polishing out richer layers for history.

Editor's review

The Gudian series has quietly reached its eighth volume, still published by Zhonghua Book Company under the editorship of Mr. Xu Jun. Rather than a magazine, this series is a private record of scholars and enthusiasts steeped in historical context conversing around a stove, each piece a meticulous dissection of a modern figure or historical event. This volume continues the style of its predecessors: solid in research, clear in prose, revealing spirit in the smallest details. The essays mostly focus on marginal or vaguely recorded anecdotal details of official history—through a letter, a diary entry, or a colophon, retrieving individual fates and the folds of an era obscured by grand narrative. Such writing requires authors with deep grounding in historical sources and keen insight, achievable only by those long immersed in the field. For readers, its value lies not only in acquiring new knowledge but in experiencing a rigorous yet humane approach to historical research. It does not offer light reading pleasure, yet between the lines it lets one feel the profound joy of quietly conversing with past times.

Who it's for

A good fit for

Readers of history and literature with a strong interest in modern Chinese figures and events
Readers who appreciate solidly researched, plainly written nonfiction
Readers seeking to supplement their historical understanding from a micro perspective
Book lovers who enjoy collecting and savoring series of humanities anthologies

Not a good fit for

Beginners seeking systematic historical knowledge or theoretical exposition
Readers who prefer strong plot and fast-paced reading experiences

Reading tips

It can serve as bedside or desk reading; there is no need to finish it at once—savoring one or two pieces at a time is best
Keep a reference book at hand or use the internet to check names and events mentioned in the text as you read, for greater reward
If a figure in an essay particularly interests you, follow the thread to related biographies or monographs for extended reading

About the publisher

Zhonghua Book Company China · Founded in 1912

Zhonghua Book Company is a publisher known for collating ancient texts and academic publishing, with its output centered on Eastern philosophy, culture, classic works, art, and historical reading. Its library contains 532 titles, including Chen Shou's Records of the Three Kingdoms, Guo Qingfan's Collected Commentaries on Zhuangzi, the four-volume Chinese Literature: Four Great Classical Novels, and the two-volume Table of Seal and Clerical Script Forms from Qin, Han, Wei, and Jin. These titles span historical classics, commentaries on the philosophers, classical novels, and philological reference works. Representative authors include Chen Shou, Guo Qingfan, Wu Cheng'en, Shi Nai'an, Cao Xueqin, Luo Guanzhong, Xu Wenwu, and the Hanyu Dazidian character-form group, reflecting a focus on primary sources and scholarly editors. Its publishing character lies in combining authoritative editions and annotated texts with both accessible classics and specialized research. Public information on its fuller catalog is limited; this note describes only the directions evident in the library's holdings.

版权信息
充和老师的家
一
二
三
四
先师白隆平先生轶事
周肇祥与北京琉璃厂（上）
一、西服辫子集一身
二、易代之际的琉璃厂
三、厂肆货源与主顾收支
辜鸿铭教蒙学
一、爱讲中国经典的英文教授
二、推广诗歌教化的幼学老师
三、回归人文主义的启蒙教材
章士钊的绰号
之一、“传市方成虎”
之二、《真谈虎集》
《多馀的话》馀话——“雪华”的故事
一
二
三
四
周馥与袁世凯赴朝鲜始末及其他
一
二
三
从馀杭知县严耆孙到“龙游琴僧”释开霁——先曾祖英仲公轶史纪闻（上）
一
二
三
四
五
造访名教授印象记
一
二
三
相知无远近交情老更亲——唐长孺与谷川道雄的交往与友谊
一
二
三
四
五
六
记钱锺书与饶宗颐往来通函
“千秋冷落龙州月”——郑孝胥与孟森（上）
一、“天下皆知余将去龙州矣”
二、“奋然浮海来游，亦奇士也”
三、“将之良者，恒兼宰相器”
四、“爱卿未觅，酂侯先以自污”
大伯瞿同祖的一生（下）
五、归国境遇
六、老骥伏枥
七、晚年生活
我与姚雪垠
上海中国画院特别班
一
二
三
四
简又文和《逸经》杂志
大权独揽办杂志
拍场忍欺思痛史
护封觅得旧巢痕
简谢分袂有隐情
“番佛廿尊”易“八仙”
《逸经》影印藏手脚
踞灶觚（一）
一、伯玉大人
二、自比红楼梦中人
三、章太炎自比焦大
四、取太太首级来
五、秘密藏
六、不悦蓄须男子
七、拒作寿诗
八、实甫咏夕阳
九、读书多
十、邵祖平撕序
十一、太炎散原并善忘
十二、一问九不知
十三、好利不好名
十四、二陈之事
十五、宋人唐诗选
十六、无米炊
十七、平子不平叔雅雅
十八、老能细书
十九、妒而害之
二十、湖湘之狂
编后语

FAQ

Does the Gudian series need to be read starting from Volume 1?

No. Each volume is independent, and the essays are not directly connected; readers can enter from any volume according to interest.

Is this book difficult to read?

There is a certain threshold. The essays mostly involve specific historical figures and events, requiring some background knowledge of modern Chinese history to better understand the allusions and deeper meanings.

How is this book different from ordinary popular history books?

The biggest difference is its approach. It does not pursue complete or sensational stories but devotes itself to rigorous examination and interpretation of fragmentary historical sources, closer to scholarly essays, emphasizing evidence and depth rather than popularized narrative.

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About the author

徐俊 Author

Xu Jun: publicly available information is limited, and details such as nationality, dates of birth and death, and educational background have not been clearly recorded. Judging from the thirteen works held in the collection, Xu Jun's writing centers mainly on anecdotal and historical themes. Representative works include the first through eighth volumes of the "Zhanggu" series, as well as "Cuiwei Quegu Ji (Zhonghua Book Company and Modern Academic Culture)". His works are often classified under classics, historical reading, and literary appreciation. They deal largely with modern academic culture, figures and their anecdotes, and book-world lore, with a tone that emphasizes documentary organization and narrative and carries a strong flavor of literary and historical essays. The continued publication of the "Zhanggu" volumes indicates a sustained commitment to writing and compiling in this field, offering readers accessible texts for understanding the threads of modern academic culture.

严晓星 Author

Yan Xiaoxing is a Chinese book author about whom limited public information is available. Twelve of his works are currently held in the library, mainly in the categories of history, general biography, and classic works. Judging from his representative titles, his interests center on anecdotes of modern literary figures and on the world of the guqin. "Past Events So Clear: Zha Fuxi and Zhang Chonghe" uses the friendship between Zha Fuxi and Zhang Chonghe to portray the bonds and the historical backdrop of a generation of cultural figures, while "Recollections of Qiulai Studio" has the character of memoir and reminiscence. He has also contributed to several volumes of the "Anecdotes" series and is the author of "Minor Notes on Jin Yong (Revised and Expanded Edition)", showing an interest in both traditional literary and historical anecdotes and popular literature. His writing tends to begin with specific people, events, and documentary details, emphasizing the recovery of historical sources and readability, and is suited to readers interested in modern cultural history and the lives of literary figures.