"The Story of Humanity" is an important work by the famous American writer Fang Long. It discusses from the origin of mankind to every turbulent historical period; Fang Long shows the mighty scroll of human history with fresh and wise words and witty and smooth brushstrokes. It was once adopted as a history textbook in American middle schools, but the highest honor it won was not in the history category, but in the Newberley Award, the most famous children's literature award in the United States; Literary achievement is even higher than other literary works.
However, Fang Long's most famous work was written during his most frustrated and difficult times. Exploring how it became a book may be instructive for today's readers.
In
the summer of 1920, Van Loon's breakup with his first wife, Eliza, did not ease him, and he was still in deep trouble. The court ruled that Fang Long's monthly support fee of 100 yuan to Eliza to "sponsor the children" has never been fulfilled. Eliza said in a letter to him: "They (referring to the two children - the author's note) must First of all, they are fed and clothed, they can’t live on the hope that they can’t realize all the time like the time when I and you were married.” Fang Long complained in his reply: “Since the last operation, my health status has changed. It's been bad all the time... Now my minimum daily necessities are provided by the publisher. If Jimmy (Van Loon's second wife - author's note) does not have his own job, the 8 months of suffering We simply can't get through the illness. . . . "
Fang Loon had nothing but borrowing, and when he borrowed $1,800 from Eliza's distant relative, William Nicholas, he promised to earn as much as he could for his planned book, "The Story of Mankind." Fifty percent of all royalties are used to pay off debts. In fact, Fang Long himself was not sure whether the book that was still in his womb could make money. Fang Long even asked Jimmy to take his eldest son, Hansjie, to the railroad with buckets to pick up the coal that fell when the train turned, so that he could cook for the fire at home.
Opportunity comes
In March 1921, two rare opportunities appeared in Fang Long's life journey, and their far-reaching influence on Fang Long's future destiny was inestimable at that time. Arthur E. Morgan, dean of Antioch College in Yellow Springs, Ohio, invited Van Loon to be chair of the college's social sciences department, earning $4,000 a year. Antioch College was founded in 1852. Among its graduates, many university presidents, business giants and political elites have emerged, and their reputation is far-reaching. For Fang Long, teaching not only has a fixed income, his eldest son Han Sijie can also go to a school specially run for the children of teachers; another thing is that "a "Children's World History" will be released in November next year. With 300 pages of text, 100 black and white illustrations, 20 color illustrations and 20 simulation maps, this is a very good and thick book." Fang Long disclosed this in his letter to Han Sijie.
The so-called "Children's World History" is actually the later book "The Story of Humanity", which was written under the influence of the British writer Wells' "Outline of World History". In 1920, "World History Outline" was published in the United Kingdom and the United States successively, and its hot sales showed that the interest of the British and American reading circles in the past years was awakened. The publisher, Livenett, saw the direction of the future. He called Fang Long to his office and told Fang Long that instead of continuing to write the planned series of books, it would be better to come up with a complete self-illustrated children's book. Edition World History. This much larger work, with its novel and unique layout, was unheard of in children's books at the time. It's a gamble. Livenette, who is famous at the racetrack and will soon set foot in Broadway theaters, always acts on a hunch that he thinks he will win, but Van Loon is not very optimistic. However, his trust in publishers younger than him, coupled with a $25 weekly advance until the book was finished, made Van Loon unable to refuse.
Throughout the spring and summer, with the non-stop, often late-night, beating of two typewriters (Van Loon writes Jimmy Transcript), they finished writing the book Livenett wanted—and it was a book. A tome with 479 pages! Then, in late August 1921, they set off for Antioch College to take office.
A book that changed fate
In November 1921, "The Story of Mankind" went to press. At this time, the Van Loong couple lived on only his salary and a little bit of writing. After receiving the book donation, Jimmy wrote in her diary in particular, "This is a great book!" But Van Loon was not sure about the book's sales prospects, as a student at Antioch College put it: " As long as there are more than 6 people in a gathering, Fang Long will promote his book among them, hoping that someone in the group will buy one of his books." Fang Long also wisely sent books to important books in the hands of critics. By early December, the book was starting to take a storm, its rumbling from New York all the way to Yellow Springs.
Unable to contain his joy, Van Loon wrote to Eliza: "These days I have received letters from people I have never met, ... two letters from Mencken (a famous American critic - author's note) The exaggerated phrase 'amazing'. The first edition was half sold in the first week and I wonder if this book is finally a hit? This little bit of glory comes so unexpectedly I can't be sure What a meaning. People have had good things to say about my books before, but never have they had such rave reviews."
In Book Friend, Anne Carroll, director of the New York Public Library's Children's Books Department Moore hailed "The Story of Man" as "extremely encouraging, and I can predict that it will remain the most influential children's book for many years to come." Ms. Moore's insights have been very influential , the book's sales soared rapidly. Austin Hayes predicted in The New York Times that although "The Story of Humanity" is considered to be read to children, "we think that more enthusiastic readers will be found among adults.
" Livenett was content with Charles A. Beard's comments in The New Republic. Beard, comparing The Story of Mankind with Wells' A History of the World, said: "Mr. Fang Loon knows history a thousand times better than Mr. Wells, and he has the same interesting Writing with more humor, he wrote a great book, a book that will last."
The phenomenon of the Human Story is best summed up by Van Loon's friend Carl Van Doren, writing in the New York Herald Tribune in 1932: "It looks like a book for children. The book, in fact. The illustrations make it splendid...they just clarify the text and reinforce the historian's intent....The American public asked for it to be printed 32 times in 5 years, and in 11 years Afterwards they continued to read The Story of Man. It has been translated into many languages and has become, at least elsewhere, the most important historical primer of the age, except in Russia."
Christmas Eve 1921 , Van Loon and Jimmy went to Chicago. There, Van Loon met Fanny Butcher, an influential book critic of the Chicago Tribune. Butcher gave Van Loon his first taste of being a literary celebrity. Van Loon told the writer Bishop: "I have to I'm not used to pretending to be a big man."
In June 1922, the American Library Association announced that the first John Newberly Medal was awarded to Van Loon for "the most outstanding contribution to American children's literature." The incident sparked another publicity hurricane, and on June 28, the award ceremony was held in Detroit, when "The Story of Humanity" was serialized in the Detroit Free Press. Then Van Loon hurried to Ithaca to show his friends at Cornell University (including those who had slandered him before) his medal — a "shiny new apple," in Van Loon's words.
Van Loon put on the halo of success, and the filmmakers joined him in chasing him. They asked Van Loon for permission to make "A Human Story" into a movie, and Van Loon refused. But by the time Hollywood did make it to the screen, Van Loon was already in heaven.
The success of "Human Story" was a turning point in Fang Loong's life. He suddenly became a household name, his career was booming, his economic situation changed completely, and royalties flowed into his pockets.
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