On Reading
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Summary
Editor's review
The book's most notable feature is the practicality of its arrangement. It is divided by theme into chapters such as "The Benefits of Reading," "Methods of Reading," and "Choosing What to Read," each selecting more than ten concise short pieces. Most of these articles run about a thousand characters; they include classic passages from The Analects as well as essays by modern scholars such as Lin Yutang and Zhu Guangqian. This arrangement allows readers to dip in at any time and find inspiration in spare moments.
In terms of depth, the book is better suited as an "introduction" to thinking about reading than as material for systematic research. Most of the pieces collected are popular in nature and may seem somewhat shallow to readers who already have some reading experience. Yet precisely this accessibility gives the book broad applicability—whether teenagers taking their first steps in reading or adults wishing to revisit the essence of reading can find resonance in it.
It is worth noting that the book was published rather early (2010), and some selections may bear the marks of their time. But the core wisdom about reading—such as the relationship between intensive and extensive reading, the integration of reading and practice, and the shaping of character through reading—remains ever new. In today's information explosion, reexamining these classic discussions can instead help us resist the lure of fragmented reading and return to the essence of deep reading.
Overall, On Reading is a gentle guide to reading. It offers no quick-fix secrets but invites readers to slow down among the words of past sages and reflect on the true meaning of reading. For readers who want to build a reading habit or adjust their attitude toward reading, this book is like a mirror, reflecting the many possible relationships we may have with books.
Who it's for
A good fit for
- Young readers who are cultivating a reading habit and need introductory guidance
- Readers of literature and history who wish to gain a systematic understanding of views on reading across time and cultures
- Professionals seeking reading methods to improve their reading efficiency
- Busy people who enjoy reading short, essential articles in spare moments
Not a good fit for
- Readers seeking the latest reading theories or findings from brain science
- Researchers who need in-depth academic analysis or the full text of original sources
Reading tips
- It is suggested to read by theme and skip around rather than follow the order strictly, starting with the chapter that interests you most
- Keep sticky notes handy while reading to jot down passages that resonate with your own reading experience
- After finishing each theme, pause for a moment and consider how to put it into practice with your own reading list
About the publisher
Liaohai Publishing House is a comprehensive publisher known for textbooks and the collation of ancient works. Its publishing scope covers state-approved textbooks, local curriculum materials, supplementary educational books, and national and local ancient-text compilation projects, while also extending into humanities fields such as Eastern philosophy. Its catalog contains about 4,694 titles, with representative works including the multi-volume Records of the Grand Historian (Shiji), and its author resources include classic writers and works such as Sima Qian and Confucius. Grounded in educational publishing and the transmission of traditional culture, the press maintains sustained investment in ancient-text collation, forming a publishing profile that balances textbooks and scholarship. Due to limited public information, its more specific publishing directions and features require further supplementation.
Contents
- 版权信息
- 前言
- 论真理
- 论死亡
- 论宗教信仰
- 论无神论
- 论迷信
- 论复仇
- 论逆境
- 论韬晦
- 论家庭
- 论婚姻
- 论嫉妒
- 论爱情
- 论帝王
- 论贵族
- 论叛乱
- 论权位
- 论革新
- 论党派
- 论强国之道
- 论殖民事业
- 论财富
- 论预言
- 论野心
- 论宫廷化装舞会
- 论勇敢
- 论善良
- 论时机
- 论狡猾
- 论自私
- 论迅速
- 论小聪明
- 论友谊
- 论消费
- 论养生之道
- 论猜疑
- 论言谈
- 论天性
- 论习惯
- 论幸运
- 论贷款
- 论旅行
- 论青年与老年
- 论美
- 论残疾人
- 论建筑
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About the author
Feng Zhiyuan is a full-time chief editor long engaged in compiling books for young readers; public information about him is limited, and few details of his life are on record. He served as chief editor at Liaohai Publishing House for large series such as the Student Indoor and Outdoor Sports Learning Manual, Logical Thinking Training for Teenagers, and Inspiring Science Stories for Young People, and has compiled more than three hundred inspirational and popular-science titles, with 241 works held in the database. His works span education, classic works, inspirational growth, examinations, social fiction, and applied psychology. Representative titles include Good Character Makes a Good Life, Believe You Are an Eagle, and Tasting the Flavor of Life. Aimed mainly at students and young readers, they emphasize healthy physical and mental development and the cultivation of thinking and character. It should be noted that the online profile describing a "teacher born in 1930 who volunteered to teach in Ningxia" refers to a different person of the same name, not this author.
