中國(guó)之所以為中國(guó),不是過(guò)去一百年稱(chēng)自己是個(gè)民族國(guó)家的產(chǎn)物,而是因?yàn)槠鋵?shí)一個(gè)有兩千多年歷史的文明古國(guó)。
在人類(lèi)歷史上,中國(guó)的變化之快勝過(guò)任何一個(gè)社會(huì)。同時(shí),中國(guó)依舊與自己的歷史保持著獨(dú)一和無(wú)與倫比的親密感。要是北京的一個(gè)出租車(chē)司機(jī)和你談到今天的時(shí)候,引用三千多年前一兩位先賢的話(huà),我們大可不必驚訝。歷史,即便是久遠(yuǎn)的歷史,就在他的倒車(chē)鏡里。
CHAPTER ONE
W. Somerset Maugham and China (I)
CHAPTER TWO
W. Somerset Maugham and China (II)
CHAPTER THREE
Bertrand Russell and e Problem of China (I)
CHAPTER FOUR
Bertrand Russell and e Problem of China (II)
CHAPTER FIVE
Plunder and Pleasure-seeking on the Silk Road: Some
European Case Studies
CHAPTER SIX
Backhouse and His Decadence Mandchoue
CHAPTER SEVEN
Stella Benson and the Consolations of Being an Official’s Wife
CHAPTER EIGHT
S. I. Hsiung and Lady Precious Stream
CHAPTER NINE
LAO SHE: the Unlikely Londoner
CHAPTER ELEVEN
Shanghai Brats: Denton Welch and J. G. Ballard
CHAPTER TWELVE
JOSEPH NEEDHAM: Science and Civilization in China
CHAPTER TEN
Chairman Mao and His English Lady Friends