My library doesn't look like this. I don't see a break in the bindings or a crease in the cover in any of these books. They look like they were all unboxed yesterday, and placed to fill each shelf to exact width.
I am left with the question - are these books representative of his reading or are they are they background, crafted by careful professionals that create images for public consumption? Still some interesting choices and some possible future purchases to go on my list.
Some of the big heavy sets may have been put there for display. But there are some books on that shelf are unusual choices for "display books", and the more logical conclusion is that they are actual books that he reads. Another hint is that some of the books are one or two book out of a complete set, it would be weird to display incomplete sets, so I'm inclined to believe he reads or have read most of the books.
Great to read the translation and the informative summaries. I think any kind of library and bookshelves are a mirror and representative - no matter if new old, if just made up on the spot which I refuse to consider since it would be too superficial & completly useless (as some in the comments below speculate). Mao was a great reader. His bed was made of books he was surrounded by books and with his insomnia he had ample time to read. There's no compulsion to just show your books if you're already a powerful person and hold the fate of millions. More important would be to offer a more direct, sincere and exemplary look into your readings.
The particular composition or balance offers room for reflection. It's an essential compass and a navigation kit. The role of history, world history, of Chinese history for example is preeminent. Poetry holds a special place. There's a possible Borgesian - infinite phase space of books - yet what gets selected is nearly as important as what gets left out. It's such a treat to have a dive into this.
In our world of blurbs and infobytes, having books and readings books is one o ths greatest (unknown) pleasures.
Seeing a library like this is a privilege (and have an insight into Xi's bibliophile taste). To arrange books and think what books you would like to surround yourself is very important. I have books that hope to read, others I consult from time to time. Others I read and keep reading. Some are just there - just in case something appears on the horizon. They are there in the waiting. Waiting their turn. So books and reading are in a mutual, always changing relation.
A library is both intimate and public, both what's considered important by the book lover and what he considers is important he will be remembered for. There's book companions books that have accompanied you your whole life. In various edition maybe the initial ones lost and destroyed. But they're still there. There's also more general - Bertrand Russell - let's say and also more particular like the book of frugality.
Very interesting to see what kind/what version of Analects (clearly not the typical) stands there. Thank you for sharing.
Thank you for this! I'm keen to read some of the works to better understand President Xi's perspective. Is there, by any chance, a link to《中国共产党党内法规汇编》"A Collection of CPC Party Rules"? I would very much like to get an electronic copy (since it will be easier to translate). Or, alternatively, could you recommend a work that explains the structure of the CPC? I'm a great admirer of the CPC ever since I started studying the political economy of China 7 years ago, and I am keen to learn more about how the CPC functions. Thank you!
My library doesn't look like this. I don't see a break in the bindings or a crease in the cover in any of these books. They look like they were all unboxed yesterday, and placed to fill each shelf to exact width.
I am left with the question - are these books representative of his reading or are they are they background, crafted by careful professionals that create images for public consumption? Still some interesting choices and some possible future purchases to go on my list.
Some of the big heavy sets may have been put there for display. But there are some books on that shelf are unusual choices for "display books", and the more logical conclusion is that they are actual books that he reads. Another hint is that some of the books are one or two book out of a complete set, it would be weird to display incomplete sets, so I'm inclined to believe he reads or have read most of the books.
Great to read the translation and the informative summaries. I think any kind of library and bookshelves are a mirror and representative - no matter if new old, if just made up on the spot which I refuse to consider since it would be too superficial & completly useless (as some in the comments below speculate). Mao was a great reader. His bed was made of books he was surrounded by books and with his insomnia he had ample time to read. There's no compulsion to just show your books if you're already a powerful person and hold the fate of millions. More important would be to offer a more direct, sincere and exemplary look into your readings.
The particular composition or balance offers room for reflection. It's an essential compass and a navigation kit. The role of history, world history, of Chinese history for example is preeminent. Poetry holds a special place. There's a possible Borgesian - infinite phase space of books - yet what gets selected is nearly as important as what gets left out. It's such a treat to have a dive into this.
In our world of blurbs and infobytes, having books and readings books is one o ths greatest (unknown) pleasures.
Seeing a library like this is a privilege (and have an insight into Xi's bibliophile taste). To arrange books and think what books you would like to surround yourself is very important. I have books that hope to read, others I consult from time to time. Others I read and keep reading. Some are just there - just in case something appears on the horizon. They are there in the waiting. Waiting their turn. So books and reading are in a mutual, always changing relation.
A library is both intimate and public, both what's considered important by the book lover and what he considers is important he will be remembered for. There's book companions books that have accompanied you your whole life. In various edition maybe the initial ones lost and destroyed. But they're still there. There's also more general - Bertrand Russell - let's say and also more particular like the book of frugality.
Very interesting to see what kind/what version of Analects (clearly not the typical) stands there. Thank you for sharing.
Thank you for this! I'm keen to read some of the works to better understand President Xi's perspective. Is there, by any chance, a link to《中国共产党党内法规汇编》"A Collection of CPC Party Rules"? I would very much like to get an electronic copy (since it will be easier to translate). Or, alternatively, could you recommend a work that explains the structure of the CPC? I'm a great admirer of the CPC ever since I started studying the political economy of China 7 years ago, and I am keen to learn more about how the CPC functions. Thank you!
Thank you for doing this!
Thanks for your comment!