Renowned American University professor, historian, and commentator Zhang Tianliang visited Taiwan to release his five-volume book series “The Laughter of Wind and Clouds.” On May 30th, he attended a seminar and book signing event hosted by the Taiwan Free Communication Broadcasting Association, where he shared the joy of reading history.
“The Laughter of Wind and Clouds – A Great History from the Perspective of Heaven and Man” consists of five volumes, covering topics such as the Eastern Zhou Dynasty, the Qin and Han Dynasties, the Golden Age of the Sui and Tang Dynasties, the Prosperous Periods of the Song Dynasty, and the Ming Dynasty. Professor Zhang Tianliang spent ten years completing this comprehensive series of Chinese history, totaling around 1.5 million words, showcasing important figures and events from ancient China to the end of the Ming Dynasty.
Professor Zhang mentioned that the historical sources for “The Laughter of Wind and Clouds” primarily come from official historical records. He aimed to present the intricacies of history in a simple and engaging narrative style. By adopting a celestial and human perspective towards history, the book offers unique interpretations of historical events, presenting a distinct “great historical view” akin to Sima Qian’s motivation for writing the “Records of the Grand Historian.”
Stressing the reflective aspect of reading history, Zhang Tianliang emphasized that self-reflection is crucial for individuals and even for a civilized society. As Confucius once said, “I daily examine myself three times” to emphasize the importance of introspection and continuous examination of historical lessons.
Zhang Tianliang highlighted that historical records encompass not only events but also social, economic, administrative, cultural, geographical, and religious aspects of each dynasty. Every era’s history is considered a comprehensive encyclopedia that documents the evolution of civilization over time.
One of the challenges contemporary readers face in accessing historical materials is their complex and extensive nature, making them difficult to grasp and time-consuming. Thus, Zhang Tianliang’s initiative to create the “The Laughter of Wind and Clouds” lecture series and publish the books was driven by the desire to make history accessible to a wider audience.
Regarding the benefits of studying history, Zhang Tianliang outlined three key advantages. Firstly, historical wisdom offers insights into past figures and their actions, providing valuable lessons on human nature and problem-solving strategies. Secondly, historical studies enhance skills such as strategic thinking and communication styles. Lastly, history serves as a guide for governance and decision-making by learning from the successes and failures of past civilizations.
Zhang Tianliang concluded by quoting Socrates, “The unexamined life is not worth living,” emphasizing the importance of understanding traditional values through history. By presenting Chinese official history in a lively and systematic manner in his five-volume series “The Laughter of Wind and Clouds,” he aims to provide readers with a deeper appreciation for the intrinsic value of history.