BOOKS
HOW TO WIN FRIENDS & INFLUENCE PEOPLE
by Dale Carnegie
Month of review, April 2020
A friend of mine recommended this book to me in the beginning of 2020. He said he has read it many times in his life. When I wrote this book review, I have only read this book once, but I have already started to experience the benefit of practicing some of the suggestions that this author makes.
First of all, I am amazed by how this book was written. Dale Carnegie spent lots of time interviewing famous people such as Edison and Roosevelt and he also did lots of experiments and research. Since he has taught thousands of people on how to handle relationships with other people, he offers many real examples and cases of how his way worked in many different situations, both in business world and personal lives. In addition to all of his incredible feats, it took him 15 years to write this book.
Overall, this is a book about winning friends and influencing people. This includes:
- “How to make people like you”
- “How to win people to your way of thinking”
- “How to change people’s behaviors”.
I think Dale Carnegie knows a lot about the human nature, and his human relationship suggestions focus on handling people according to what other people want and do not want.
- People do not like to judged, so do not criticize people.
- People do not like to admit they are wrong, so please do not argue with people.
- People do not like to be told to do something, so please do not tell or command.
- People do not like to feel inferior, so if you want to point out people’s mistakes, talk about your own mistakes first.
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- Because People have ego, and like the feeling of importance, which is mentioned many times in the book), we need to give sincere appreciation.
- Because people want to be understood, we need to show sympathy and do active listening instead of talking too much.
- Because people want to feel the ideas are theirs, we need to inspire them to come up with their own solutions, rather than telling people your ideas,
- Because people want to win, we can throw a challenge
- Because we want to be treated softly, we need to get their attention indirectly.
Many examples in this book are very real and interesting. I highly recommend this book to everyone who wants to make friends and influence people. Don’t miss out on this book that will change your life.
THE LEADERSHIP COACH'S ADVANTAGE
by Melinda Sinclair & Dorothy Greenaway
Month of Review, April 2020
Last year in 2019, I attended an event which was co-organized by ICF, PMI, and DCMP. ICF focuses on coaching, DCAP is an organization about change management and PMI for project management. I have talked to one of the ladies in the event and I bought this book instantly. I enjoyed this book for its clarity and framework.
This book starts with the definition of leadership coach (I believe this model could be used in any coaching environment such as between students and teachers or between parents and children). Leadership coaching is focused conversation to facilitate performance, change, and learning relevant to the leader in their organizational/business context. Then the book offers an overall context saying that we all need to realize the big C shift for this changes how coaching works. The world has moved from “Command, Comply, Correct, Conform, Coerce, and Control” to “common good, contribute, collaborate, communicate, co-create, and connect”.
The book then continues to describe a coaching model between leader and coach so that the leader can move from the current reality to desired future (which is ultimately a positive change) by using 3 stances (see, support, and stretch)
Many times, we do not change because our attentions focus on negative things which paralyze us. I liked one quote about attention in this book. We shape our lives by deciding what to pay attention to, and by how long and how intensely to do so – by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi
Self-awareness is certainly a big element. One of the coach’s role is to help the leader to realize his or her strength, values, and purpose. And mind certainly plays an important role. This book describes that we have basically 2 mind states. One is the avoid state to minimize threat and the other is the approach state to maximize reward. Being aware of that help the leaders understand the risks and opportunities.
The conversation between the coach and leader is also key. This books suggests a 5-step process: connect now, clarify why, create new, choose what, and commit & go. I likes it because it is action oriented at the end, and have it posted on my office wall. And during the conversation process, coaches will need to develop the core communication skills about listening, asking, and saying.
What I said above is just a rough framework of this book, I encourage you to discover coaching in more details by reading this book, practicing it in business world and also at personal level using the framework.
Highly recommended.
COACHING PLAIN AND SIMPLE
by Peter Szabo and Daniel Meier
Month of review: 2020 April
Quotes
read this book in Dec 2019 and today I revisited it and gained some new insights.
Last time, I remembered 3 quotes that enlightened me.
- The oak seed has stored in itself all the necessary information to grow into a big strong tree.
- a caterpillar cannot reach its potential by taking flying lessons, but only by its development into a butterfly
- You can not teach anybody anything. You can only help them to discover it in themselves. – Galileo Galilei
Application
This time, I had a problem and I used the techniques to coach myself (really me being the coach and the client at the same time- “self-talk”) to find a solution. The 3 key steps of coaching are
- be clear on the desired future (imagine you are already there),
- define the precursors (aware of what I am doing already and give myself a compliment),
- and also presupposing the progress.
After the self-coaching, I became more aware of my goal, my progress, and also gained more confidence in having a better solution.
Though this book is really thin (only 107 pages), I still recommend it for it contains some excellent stuff that is key, brief, and inspirational. Anyone can read it and gain benefit and insight.
Developing the leader within you
by John C Maxwell
Month of review: May 2020
John Maxwell is a senior pastor and also a professional business leader. I had this book years ago, but unfortunately never got a chance to take a deep read on it. It is actually a wonderful leadership book, about leading ourselves and others.
What is special about this book is that it includes so many quotes from famous people and also some excellent poems which are very thought provoking and inspirational.
I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to be a great leader.
Chapter 1, Influence
- Leadership is the ability to obtain followers.
- Poem called “the little chap who follows me”
- The 5 level of leadership (1, position/rights; 2, permission/relationship, 3 production/results, 4, people development/reproduction, 5, personhood/respect)
Chapter 2, Priorities
- 20/80 rule
- When little priorities demand too much of us, big problems arise.
- Emergencies force us to prioritize.
Chapter 3, Integrity
- Integrity is the state of being complete, unified.
- Image is what people think we are. Integrity is what we really are.
- I can never hide myself from me.
Chapter 4, Creating positive change
- Change the leader, change the organization.
- Change won’t happen when people engage in negative thinking.
- If you would win a man to your course, first convince him that you are his true friend.
Chapter 5, Problem solving
- Where people most often turn for help with a problem.
- The size of the person is more important than the size of the problem, our focus as a leader should be to build big people and make a time commitment to people.
- Define a problem, ask the right questions, challenge the assumptions (9 dot problem)
Chapter 6, Attitude
- Life is 10% what happens to me and 90% how I react to it.
- Our expectations will determine our attitudes
- God chooses what we go through. We choose how we go through it.
Chapter 7, People
- My assumptions about others are what allow me to continually motivate and develop them.
- Everyone wants to feel worthwhile – what I do will make a difference
- Everyone needs and responds to encouragement
- People buy into the leader before they buy into his or her leadership
- People tend to become what the most important people in their lives think they will come
- People are naturally motivated. We need to create an environment in which people are free from the influences that demotivate
Chapter 8, Vision
- Helen Keller was asked, “what would be worse than being born blind?” she replied, “to have sight without vision.”
- God’s gift to me is my potential. My gift back to God is what I do with that potential.
- Napoleon Hill said, “cherish your visions and dreams as they are the children of your soul; the blueprints of your ultimate achievement.”
Chapter 9, Self-discipline
- Poem of Edwin Markham, nothing is worth the making if it does not make the man
- Welcome responsibility
- Be responsible for who you are
- Be responsible for what you have received
- Be responsible to those you lead
- Pay now, play later
Chapter 10, Staff development
- Build a winning team
- Winning teams have great leaders
- Winning teams pick good people
- Winning teams play to win – more commited, pay the price, and go after victory
- Winning teams make their team member more successful
- Winning teams keep improving
- Build a winning team
SIDE HUSTLE
by Chris Guillebeau
Month of review, April 2020
During the Covid-19, many people were forced to leave their regular jobs. I was one of them being temporarily laid off. In the meantime, one friend of mine in linked-in said to me that he wanted to start an online course for side hustle. What is side hustle? I have no idea at that time. It is basically earning extra income while you are off your regular work.
Staying at home, thinking about the job and the regular income stream which was stopped and replaced by employment insurance, which is less than 50% of my regular income, and considering that I have plenty of time at home, I decided to give this side hustle thing a try.
As usual, before I start to do anything, I would like to do some knowledge management and see how other people did it. By searching “side hustle” in amazon.ca, I found this book and the author, Chris Guillebeau. The book has a good 4-star review and Chris Guillebeau is totally different from me. Throughout my whole career, I have worked for many big companies and I have always been an employee. He is totally different. By the year of 35, he has travelled all 193 countries and he has never worked for any employer. He is self-employed and all his income came from his side hustle. He made money by providing services to other people, wrote books, travelled a lot, and also did charity work. If my life is totally conventionally so far, his life is the exact opposite, extremely unconventional.
In his book “side hustle”, he highlighted how to turn ideas to income in 27 days. Here are some of the key points.
More income means more options, and more freedom.
He has been operating side hustles in his entire adult life.
Most hobbies cost money, but a side hustle makes money.
Setting up a goal first – for example, making some extra money for a new laptop in 3 months.
Money can grow up in trees, but you need the right seeds (which are the ideas)
Brainstorm some ideas, and select your best ideas (feasibility, profitability, and persuasion, efficiency, and motivation.
Once you pick your ideas, look at how other people are doing. You need to do it better or at least differently.
Having imaginary coffee with your ideal customer (know their needs, and their challenges, and try to use your skills to solve their problems).
Once you have an idea, be bold enough to put up an offer. ( the services and the price)
After all above, do the logistics such as setting up a way to get paid, and designing your first workflow, ect.
After the start-up, focus on 2 things. How to change your customers’ life, and how to make more money.
Marketing your offer to the right people and in marketing, focus on how you can add value to your customers.
Ask people to help to join your business (do not be an army of one), and also be specific of what you have to offer, do not do “spray and pray”.
Since I have a MBA degree, I am very familiar with some of the ideas he mentioned in the book because it is business related. However, the reality is that I used it at my workplace, not in my side hustle. I liked many examples the author has provided in this book.
Amazon affiliate marketing
Spare bedroom on airbnb
Create a pop-up shop
Sell your knowledge, and start a on-line class
Start a subscription site.
Tutoring business
Off a simple freelance service.
After reading this book, I started a website www.albertyang2020.com and Amazon affiliate marketing. I am on my way.
Along with you.
KIRA AND A DOG NAMED MONEY
by Bodo Schaefer
Month of review, Jun 2020
Kira always wanted to have a dog. But her landlord does not allow her to have one. Luckily, her parents bought a house and she also found a lost dog. The story begins.
Why name a dog “Money”?
Parents started to quarrel a lot because the mortgage became a big burden for the family. One day, Kira tried to give the dog a name, and she overheard that father and mother were having a quarrel about money again. Then, she came up with an idea to name this dog “Money”, thinking that calling the dog “money” would bring her family money.
The dog that talks.
One day she thought about using her allowance to buy a CD she liked. Suddenly, Money started to talk and suggested that she should not buy a CD. Money told a story to Kira. He said a long time ago, there was a farmer and he had a goose, and the goose would produce a golden egg everyday. He loved the goose very much. However, due to his greed, he wanted to have more of the golden eggs. Being impatient, the farmer finally decided to see how many golden eggs the goose had. He killed the goose and took all the eggs from the goose. And we all know, he no longer had any golden egg since then. Money used this story to tell Kira that you need to be wise about money. When you have money, the first thing you need to do is to save and invest, (meaning, building a goose that can produce eggs), and then spend the rest of your money. If you spend all the allowance (killing your goose), you will have nothing left.
Why making money?
Money continued to teach Kira lots of things. He told Kira to find out 3 major reasons to make money. And Kira listed 3 of them. The first one is that she wanted to go to the USA being an exchange student; the second is that she wanted to have a new laptop, and the third one is that she wanted to help parents to pay back the mortgage. What a noble cause! For sure, she did not want to hear too much about parents’ quarreling or worrying about money.
After this goal setting session, Kira immediately felt frustrated because she did not know how to make money. But Money kept telling Kira it was more important to find out why you wanted the money than how to make money.
Kira, having 3 goals, started to look for ways to make money. She talked to her cousin, Marshal. Being 12 years old, Marshal had already started to make money for he delivered bread to neighbours. And this inspired Kira. Kira tried to find some opportunities. One day, she saw her neighbour walking a dog, but did not look happy. She knocked on the door and got her first job of walking a dog and began to earn 2 dollars per walk, and the master told her that if she could teach the dog do something, she could have more money.
Meeting the master of “Money”
You may wonder how come this dog knows too much about money? It turned out that one day, they happened to meet the master of the dog, whose name was Mr. Jing. He was a financial advisor for a big financial company. Money learned a lot from Mr. Jing. Mr. Jing thanked Kira for taking care of his lost dog. Not only did he pay Kira, he also gave her a lot of suggestions. Kira continued to grow in confidence and money making skills. She hired her neighbours to walk other dogs, she started to buy mutual funds, and she became so successful and she even did a speech to other kids on how to manage the money. A happy ending.
Conclusion
The Bible teaches that the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. And the Bible also teaches us to be generous. Certainly, if you do not have money, you can not live, not to mention being generous to your loved ones. That is why I think we need to have the right attitude towards Money. Actually, in proverbs, one wise man prayed to God. He said, “give me neither poverty nor riches, but give me only my daily bread. Otherwise, I may have too much and disown you and say “who is the LORD”, OR I may become poor and steal.
I hope my speech is helpful for you and if you want, you can become rich, and you can honor God with your money and be generous to others. Blessings to you all.
THE WEALTHY BARBER RETURNS
by David Chilton
Review month: Jun 2020
Disposable income = consumption + saving
Personal financial management is a big part of everyone’s life. In this book, David, a Canadian writer, uses his humorous way to instruct people how to manage money wisely to have a happy life.
In my parents’ days, they never borrow, and they always live within their means. Time has changed for sure. Now, we spend the money we have not earned yet and this creates stress and anxiety.
We have opponents, and they tempt us. when we yield to temptation, we fail. One word that catches my attention is Lurk, which means “be or remain hidden so as to wait in ambush for someone or something”. instantly, I remember a bible verse, “If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must rule over it.” Genesis 4:7. The word “Lurk” and “Crouch” are synonyms. It tells us that we ought to stay alert on our opponents.
I enjoyed his writing style. Truthful, humorous, and thought provoking. Many times, I sighed and other times, I laughed. My favorite chapter is chapter 30, where he talked about his parents and himself, who live a humble lifestyle and remain very joyful. The secret of happiness is contentment and relationships.
Please enjoy my little summary of this book and I wish you a happy life.
Consumption
- Your opponents want you to spend
- Self esteem – few things are more valuable than our self-esteem, yet we often surrender it to the opinions of others.
- The way to resist temptation is to avoid it altogether.
- Dealing with infatuation – an impulsive one
- Choose your friends wisely – do not become a slave of envy.
- The power of perspective – envy is the art of counting the other fellow’s blessings instead of your own.
- Four liberating words – I can not afford it.
- Plastic surgery – credit card has put many Canadians into financial trouble, BECAUSE they offer convenience. Evil Lurks (Evil =causing ruin, injury, pain, or misfortune) – we need to feel the pain when we pay.
- Line of credit – stop borrowing mindlessly and conveniently
- Do not take debt to retirement.
- Live in a house that you can truly afford – however, common sense and common practice are two different things.
- Keep a detailed summary of all of your expenses.
- Be aware of little expenses – many small leaks can sink a ship
Saving
- How much should I save for my retirement – 10-15 % of your income.
- Save early – no procrastination
- How much do I need for retirement – 60-70% of the average income of our last few working years
- Save while you may, no morning sun lasts a whole day.
- 6-9 month of emergency fund
Comparison
- Money VS time
- when we buy something, we are really spending time (how long would I have to work to get that something). Also a dollar saved is two dollar earned
- Experience vs things
- Spending more on experiences and less on stuff. The best things in life aren’t things.
- Future vs Now
- Misconception – saving for the future lessens people’s enjoyment of life. Truth – people who live within their means tend to be happier and less stressed for they know their futures look bright.
- Wealth vs Desire
- Wealth is not absolute; instead, it is relative to desires. When we covet things we can not afford, we grow poorer regardless of our incomes. conversely, when we are satisfied with what we have, we are truly wealthy.
RESILIENCE, HARD-WON WISDOM FOR LIVING A BETTER LIFE
by Eric Greitens
Read, Sep 2020
46 years old in 2020
PHD of philosophy
Lieutenant in Navy Seal
Founder of the Mission Continues
1 of the 100 most influential people in the world by Times
International humanitarian work in Rwanda, Cambodia and etc.
Worked in refugee camp
Armed services to Iraq, Afghanistan. Etc.
Marathon runner / Boxing champion
White house Fellowship
Governor of Missouri
Author and Speaker
Christianity
THE INDWELLING LIFE OF CHRIST
by Major W Ian Thomas
Month of review, May 2020
How do we live as christians? Many times, we tried to improve ourselves, but change won’t last. Other times, we tried to know God, read God’s word, and even pray, still, not too much change. The author tells us that the secret of Christian life is to constantly die to ourselves and live to God. we need to be united in Christ in his death and resurrection. it is a painful realization that without Him, we cannot do anything, and we cannot become and grow to be a mature Christian without Christ.
This book uses lots of metaphors and parables to illustrate the point. This is its strength. If the author can include more real and recent examples, it would be even better.
Still, it is an excellent book to read and we need to constantly remind ourselves that without Christ, we can not be a Christian. the only way is to let Him.
Question | Answer | Reference |
Can we find God on earth? | Suppose aliens come to earth with a mission to find God, but most of what they see are brokenness, evil doing, and etc. Truth is that we were made in the image of God, but we all fall short of God’s glory. | Chapter 1 |
Why does a human being need God to be functional? | Because we were made that way. Man cannot produce righteousness on his own Holy spirit to man is like oil to a lamp | Chapter 3 |
What is Righteousness? | Righteousness is doing right in God’s eyes | Chapter 6 |
What is death? What life did Adam lose that day? | The death is the absence of God. Adam lost the life of God on the day he disobeyed. On that day, Adam lost trust on God, choose to be independent, and not obey. | Chapter 8 |
Who is your parent? devil or God | He who sins is of the devil, for the devil has sinned from the beginning Whoever has been born of God does not sin. | Chapter 9 |
Do you try to live your life with your own strength? | Are you foolish? After beginning by means of the Spirit, are you now trying to finish by means of the flesh? | Chapter 10 |
What really is sin? | Sin is anything which falls short of His perfection. | Chapter 12 |
What is eternal life? | And this is eternal life: to know you, the only true and real God, and to know Him, Jesus Christ, whom you have sent. | Chapter 15 |
What is real spirituality? | Jesus said, I always do those things that please Him. John 8:29 | Chapter 19 |
What is Nicodemus’ conclusion about Jesus? | For no one can do these signs that you do unless God is with him. John 3:2 Jesus is exceptional and he is THE exception. | Chapter 21 |
When should we tell others about Jesus? | Tell the vision to no one until the Son of Man is risen from the dead” I think a common mistake that Christians make is that we usually tell people too early and too incomplete when we ourselves have not known Christ enough and we thought we know, but really we do not know. That is actually a danger. | Chapter 25 |
Are you trying to do the impossbile with your flesh? | The answer is yes if you rely on flesh. The character does not change for the better by “improving the flesh”, but only by allowing it to be replaced by the Holy Spirit. | Chapter 26 |
What is the true rest? | To “let go and to let God” is not INACTIVITY, but Christ -activity – God in action accomplishing divine purposes through human personality. | Chapter 29 |
What does faith mean? | Faith means letting him. You will never let him until you are prepared to admit that you cannot and only God can. O Lord my God, in you I put my trust. Psalm 7:1 | Chapter 32 |
In which 2 ways we have been united with Christ? | For if we have been united together in the likeness of His death, certainly we also shall be in the likeness of His resurrection. | Chapter 36 |
How does Christ and me interact with each other? | I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me | Chapter 37 |
What is the price you must pay if you want to be raised from the dead to live. | The willingness to die to your old self. | Chapter 39 |
What is so unique about men, compared to other creations? | It is that men has the capacity to choose Him | Chapter 40 |
How can we benefit from the word of God? | The answer is “faith”. But the word which they heard did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in those who heard it | Chapter 41 |
Do you follow conscience of convenience or a conscience of conviction? | A conscience of conviction determines what is morally right or wrong. Repent; turn around and return to God, that your sins may be erased, that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord | Chapter 45 |
When can you say you become a Christian? | In chapter 9 of the book of John, a blind man gradually came to know him, until at last, he said, “Lord, I believe!” | Chapter 46 |
How can we enable others to meet Jesus through us? | It must become patently obvious to people around you that the kind of life you are living is not only commendable, but beyond all human explanation The love of Chriist compels us. 2 Corinthians 5:14 | Chapter 47 |
How could we do evangelism? | We should offer ourselves to God so that the light can shine in the darkness just as moon offer himself to the sun to reflect the sunlight | Chapter 48 |
What is the reputation of the early believers? | Incorrigibly happy, utterly unafraid, and nearly always in trouble. | Chapter 49 |
Final decision? | Arise and go, when called by Jesus. | Chapter 50 |
World famous works
BOOKS BY ENGLISH WRITERS
"Pride and Prejudice" by Jane Austen (1813) 《傲慢与偏见》
《傲慢与偏见》是简·奥斯汀创作的一部经典浪漫小说，以19世纪英格兰的乡村生活为背景，探讨了爱情、阶级与个性之间的冲突。故事围绕班纳特一家展开，尤其是聪慧独立的二女儿伊丽莎白·班纳特（Elizabeth Bennet）与高傲富有的绅士达西先生（Mr. Darcy）之间的情感发展。
班纳特家有五个女儿，母亲迫切希望她们能够嫁给富有的绅士。小说的开篇便引入了富有的单身男子宾利先生（Mr. Bingley）租下附近庄园的消息，他与简·班纳特（伊丽莎白的姐姐）迅速产生了感情。然而，达西先生对伊丽莎白的初次见面评价冷淡，显得傲慢无礼，引起了她的反感。与此同时，威克姆中尉（Mr. Wickham）通过诋毁达西的名誉进一步加深了她的误解。
随着情节展开，达西逐渐被伊丽莎白的智慧和独立所吸引，并向她求婚，但因其傲慢态度和曾干涉宾利与简的关系而遭到拒绝。随后，达西通过一封信解释了自己的行为，伊丽莎白意识到自己对他存在偏见。达西也改变了自己的行为，表现出谦逊和善良。
最终，通过一系列事件，伊丽莎白和达西相互理解、化解误会，并坦诚地面对彼此的感情。与此同时，简和宾利也终成眷属，为故事画上圆满的句号。
这部小说通过幽默与讽刺的笔触揭示了社会阶级与婚姻观念的弊端，同时塑造了坚韧独立的女性形象，成为经久不衰的文学经典。
"1984" by George Orwell (1949) 《1984》
乔治·奥威尔的《1984》是一部反乌托邦小说，描述了一个极权社会的压迫与控制，揭示了专制主义对个人自由与真理的威胁。故事发生在虚构的“大洋国”，其政府由“党”控制，最高领袖是神秘的“老大哥”（Big Brother）。
主人公温斯顿·史密斯（Winston Smith）是一名普通党内成员，他的工作是篡改历史记录，使之与党的宣传保持一致。在这个社会中，政府通过“思想警察”监视公民的每一个行为与思想，任何形式的异见都会被视为“思想犯罪”。语言也被简化为“新话”（Newspeak），以剥夺人们表达复杂思想的能力。
温斯顿对党的独裁统治逐渐产生怀疑，并渴望自由。他与同事茱莉亚（Julia）展开了一段秘密的爱情关系，两人共同对抗党。他们相信有反抗组织“兄弟会”存在，并试图加入。然而，这一切实际上是党的陷阱。
温斯顿与茱莉亚最终被捕，经历了残酷的审讯与折磨。在“真理部”中，温斯顿被迫放弃自己的思想和对茱莉亚的感情，最终完全屈服于党的洗脑，爱上了“老大哥”。
小说以悲剧结尾，警示读者专制社会如何摧毁个体的自由意志、篡改真相，并利用恐惧与谎言维持统治。奥威尔以鲜明的笔触描绘了极权主义的阴影，对现代社会的控制与监视提出了深刻的警醒，成为文学史上最具影响力的反乌托邦作品之一。
"Great Expectations" by Charles Dickens (1861) 《远大前程》
查尔斯·狄更斯的《远大前程》是一部经典的成长小说，讲述了主人公皮普（Pip）从贫穷的孤儿成长为绅士的历程，同时揭示了维多利亚时代社会中的阶级差距与道德观念。
故事开始于英国乡村，年幼的皮普与姐姐及其粗暴的丈夫乔·加吉利生活在一起。他偶然帮助了一名逃犯马格维奇（Magwitch），给他送去食物和锉刀，这段经历深深影响了他的人生。不久后，皮普被一位古怪的富婆哈维什姆小姐（Miss Havisham）雇佣，与她养女埃斯黛拉（Estella）结识。皮普深深爱上了美丽但冷漠的埃斯黛拉，渴望提升自己的社会地位以赢得她的心。
成年后，皮普意外获得了一笔“远大前程”的资助，搬到伦敦接受教育，成为一名绅士。他误以为哈维什姆小姐是他的恩人，并希望她支持他与埃斯黛拉的婚事。然而，真相逐渐揭晓：资助他的人竟是马格维奇，这位曾经的逃犯为了回报皮普的善意而牺牲一切。
皮普的梦想破灭，他也目睹了埃斯黛拉嫁给一个暴虐的贵族。最终，皮普认清了虚荣与财富的空虚，重归平凡生活，并与乔和比蒂重修旧好。多年后，他与经历人生波折的埃斯黛拉再次相遇，故事在开放式的结局中结束。
《远大前程》通过皮普的成长历程探讨了爱、忠诚、良知与阶级的复杂关系，是狄更斯最深刻且广受喜爱的作品之一。
"Hamlet" by William Shakespeare (c. 1600) 《哈姆雷特》
威廉·莎士比亚的《哈姆雷特》是一部经典悲剧，讲述了丹麦王子哈姆雷特在复仇与自我内心挣扎中逐渐走向毁灭的故事，探讨了权力、复仇、死亡和人性的复杂主题。
故事开始于丹麦王国，国王突然去世，王后的再婚迅速展开，她嫁给了已故国王的弟弟克劳迪斯（Claudius），克劳迪斯也因此篡位成为新国王。年轻的王子哈姆雷特对此深感愤怒与痛苦。一天夜里，哈姆雷特遇到父王的幽灵，幽灵告诉他是克劳迪斯毒杀了自己，并命令哈姆雷特为父复仇。
哈姆雷特陷入深深的矛盾，他既渴望复仇，又苦于怀疑幽灵的话是否真实。他假装疯癫，以此探查真相。在此过程中，他的行为导致与恋人奥菲利娅（Ophelia）的关系破裂，而奥菲利娅最终因父亲波洛涅斯（Polonius）之死和哈姆雷特的冷漠而精神崩溃并溺亡。
哈姆雷特最终确认了克劳迪斯的罪行，但他的复仇之路却充满波折。故事高潮发生在一场剑术比试中，克劳迪斯暗中设计毒计企图杀害哈姆雷特。然而阴谋失控，王后、克劳迪斯、哈姆雷特和奥菲利娅的哥哥雷欧提斯（Laertes）相继中毒身亡。在临死前，哈姆雷特终于杀死了克劳迪斯，为父亲报仇。
《哈姆雷特》以其深刻的哲学思考和复杂的人物刻画成为莎士比亚最著名的悲剧之一，其中“生存还是毁灭”的独白尤为经典，至今广为传颂。
"Frankenstein" by Mary Shelley (1818)
《弗兰肯斯坦》
玛丽·雪莱的《弗兰肯斯坦》是世界文学史上第一部真正意义上的科幻小说，讲述了科学家维克多·弗兰肯斯坦（Victor Frankenstein）挑战自然法则，创造生命却酿成悲剧的故事，探讨了野心、伦理和人性的深刻问题。
维克多·弗兰肯斯坦出生于日内瓦一个富裕家庭，从小对科学充满热情。他在大学期间醉心于研究生命的本质，最终通过禁忌的实验赋予一具拼凑的尸体生命。然而，这个被创造出的“怪物”体型巨大，外貌丑陋，令维克多感到恐惧和厌恶。他抛弃了自己的创造物，逃离了实验室。
被主人遗弃的怪物独自流浪，起初它天真而善良，但在人类社会中遭遇歧视、恐惧和暴力，逐渐变得仇恨。它试图向维克多寻求理解和陪伴，甚至请求他创造一个同类伴侣。然而，维克多因害怕新的生命带来更大的灾难而毁掉了实验。愤怒的怪物誓言报复。
怪物先后杀死了维克多的亲人，包括他的弟弟、好友和新婚妻子伊丽莎白（Elizabeth）。最终，维克多孤身追踪怪物来到北极，耗尽生命力后死去。怪物见状后为自己的罪行感到悔恨，选择离开人世。
《弗兰肯斯坦》揭示了科学与伦理之间的冲突，批判了人类对未知领域的盲目追求，同时探讨了孤独、责任和人类本质的复杂性。其悲剧性的结局警示读者，人类的野心若失去道德的约束，将带来不可挽回的后果。这部作品成为哥特文学和科幻小说的经典之作。
BOOKS BY FRENCH WRITERS
In Search of Lost Time" (À la recherche du temps perdu) by Marcel Proust (1913–1927) 追忆似水年华-马塞尔·普鲁斯特
《追忆似水年华》是法国作家马塞尔·普鲁斯特的巅峰之作，由七卷组成，总体围绕时间、记忆与人类存在展开，是一部对个人与社会深刻探讨的文学巨著。小说通过第一人称叙述，呈现了主人公“我”（普遍被认为是普鲁斯特本人的化身）对其人生经历的追忆，从童年到成年，贯穿爱情、艺术、友谊、社会阶层以及对时间和记忆的哲学思考。
故事的开端是“我”因玛德琳蛋糕蘸茶的味道唤起了儿时的记忆。这种“非自觉记忆”成为贯穿全书的核心理念，揭示了过去如何以无意识的方式存留在我们的感官与情感中。小说通过细腻的描写，追溯了“我”童年时在贡布雷的生活，与母亲的亲密关系，以及邻里间的细微互动。随着成长，“我”开始接触爱情与欲望，先是少年时对吉尔贝特的迷恋，后是成年后对阿尔贝蒂娜的复杂感情。然而，这些关系充满痛苦、嫉妒与失落，揭示了爱中不可避免的脆弱与虚幻。
小说另一重要部分是对法国上流社会的描写，特别是贵族阶级的衰落和新兴阶级的崛起。“我”观察到了人与人之间的虚伪、伪装和社交游戏。这些观察既是对普鲁斯特时代法国社会的写照，也是对人性永恒特质的探讨。普鲁斯特以尖锐而幽默的笔触刻画了那些为了地位与虚荣而互相较量的人物，比如盖尔芒特家族和夏尔鲁斯男爵。
全书并没有传统意义上的情节主线，而是通过主人公的内心独白和对外部世界的细致观察，展现时间流逝与记忆回归之间的张力。小说的后半部分聚焦“我”对艺术与文学意义的领悟。最终，主人公意识到，通过文学创作，可以超越时间的限制，将流逝的生命片段变为永恒。
普鲁斯特以繁复而优美的语言，深刻地揭示了日常生活中的诗意与哲理，挖掘了人类情感的复杂性。他认为，时间虽然会抹去一切，但记忆和艺术可以赋予这些短暂瞬间持久的意义。因此，《追忆似水年华》不仅是一部个人记忆的史诗，更是一部关于人类普遍经验的哲学之书。
The Count of Monte Cristo" by Alexandre Dumas (1844-1846) 基督山伯爵-大仲马
《基督山伯爵》是法国作家亚历山大·仲马的经典复仇小说，讲述了主人公爱德蒙·唐泰斯的悲惨遭遇和复仇之旅。唐泰斯原本是一个年轻、善良且前途光明的水手，正准备与未婚妻梅塞苔丝结婚。然而，由于被三个嫉妒他的人设计陷害，他被诬告为拿破仑的支持者，锒铛入狱。
在孤岛监狱中，唐泰斯结识了一位年迈的囚犯法里亚神父，后者不仅教给他知识，还告诉他一个巨额财宝的秘密藏地。唐泰斯成功越狱，找到宝藏后化身为神秘的基督山伯爵，开始实施精心策划的复仇计划。
他运用财富和权势，以隐秘的方式摧毁了那些曾经陷害他的人，同时帮助了那些在他最困难时支持过他的人。然而，在复仇过程中，他也目睹了复仇带来的痛苦和毁灭，最终明白宽恕和爱的重要性。他将剩余的财富留给忠诚的朋友，选择离开，开始新的生活。
《基督山伯爵》是一部关于正义、复仇、宽恕和人性救赎的文学巨著，展现了爱与仇恨、善与恶的复杂交织。
"Madame Bovary" by Gustave Flaubert (1857) 包法利夫人-福楼拜
《包法利夫人》是法国作家居斯塔夫·福楼拜的代表作，被誉为现实主义文学的巅峰之作。小说讲述了艾玛·包法利的悲剧人生，揭示了对浪漫幻想和物质欲望的追逐如何导致毁灭。
艾玛是一位农场主的女儿，自幼沉迷于浪漫小说，对贵族生活充满幻想。她嫁给了质朴却平庸的乡村医生查尔斯·包法利，期望婚姻能带来幸福。然而，婚后的平淡生活令艾玛感到失望，她渴望激情、奢华和高尚的生活。
艾玛逐渐陷入不忠，与莱昂和罗道尔夫展开两段不幸的外遇。然而，这些关系并未满足她的精神和物质需求，反而使她更加空虚和绝望。为了满足她对奢侈生活的渴望，艾玛不顾家庭经济状况，大肆挥霍，最终债务累累。
当债权人上门追讨时，艾玛无力偿还，她尝试向过去的情人求助，却被无情拒绝。绝望之下，艾玛吞下砒霜自杀，最终痛苦死去。她的死不仅摧毁了自己，也毁掉了查尔斯和他们的家庭。查尔斯在悲痛中郁郁而终，而他们的女儿沦为童工。
《包法利夫人》通过艾玛的故事，深刻批判了19世纪法国社会的物质主义与虚伪道德，同时揭示了浪漫幻想与现实生活之间的冲突。福楼拜以精致而客观的语言，创造了一个既可悲又充满警示意义的女性形象，使这部作品成为文学史上不朽的经典。
"Les Misérables" by Victor Hugo (1862) 悲惨世界-维克多.雨果
《悲惨世界》是法国作家维克多·雨果创作的历史与社会题材小说，被誉为19世纪文学的巅峰之作。小说以法国大革命后社会动荡为背景，讲述了冉阿让的救赎之旅，并揭示了正义、怜悯与人性光辉。
冉阿让因偷面包救济饥饿的侄子被捕入狱，服刑19年后获释，却因“苦役犯”的身份遭受社会歧视。一次偶然，他得到主教米里哀的宽恕和关爱，从而决定弃恶从善，隐姓埋名，成为一位成功的工厂主和市长。然而，他的过去被无情的警察沙威追查，冉阿让不断逃亡，却始终保持善良的本性。
冉阿让收养了贫苦工人芳汀的女儿珂赛特，将她抚养成人。与此同时，珂赛特与青年革命者马吕斯相恋，他们的爱情成为动荡中的希望象征。在巴黎街头的革命起义中，冉阿让救下负伤的马吕斯，彰显了宽容和牺牲的力量。
最终，冉阿让在贫困与孤独中去世，但他以爱和行动完成了自我救赎，为珂赛特与马吕斯的幸福铺平道路。
《悲惨世界》通过冉阿让的经历，深刻描绘了贫困、压迫与社会不公，批判了当时的司法与宗教制度。雨果通过这部作品宣扬了爱、善良与人性力量，呼吁社会关注弱势群体。小说以史诗般的叙事和感人至深的情感，成为不朽的文学经典。
The Stranger" (L'Étranger) by Albert Camus (1942) 异乡人-加缪
《局外人》是法国作家阿尔贝·加缪的经典存在主义小说，讲述了主人公默尔索的生活、犯罪与审判，探讨了人生的荒诞与人类存在的意义。
故事从默尔索接到母亲去世的消息开始。尽管参加了母亲的葬礼，他却表现得冷漠而疏离，没有流露出社会期待的悲伤情感。这种无所谓的态度也体现在他日常生活中。他与情人玛丽开始一段轻松的关系，却对爱情和婚姻毫无热情；他帮助邻居雷蒙处理个人纠纷，但对是非对错并不关心。
一次偶然的冲突中，默尔索在海滩上枪杀了一名阿拉伯人，随后被逮捕并接受审判。然而，法庭对默尔索的审判并不仅仅集中在他的犯罪行为上，而是放大了他对母亲去世的冷漠态度，认为这反映了他的“道德缺陷”。最终，默尔索被判死刑。
在等待行刑的过程中，默尔索反思了自己的生命。他接受了人生的荒诞本质，拒绝寻求宗教或社会意义的慰藉，并在坦然面对死亡中找到了内在的自由。他领悟到，既然人生本无意义，重要的是活得真实。
《局外人》通过默尔索的经历，揭示了加缪的荒诞哲学：人类无法找到终极意义，但在承认荒诞后，可以选择直面现实、过一种坦然而自由的生活。这部小说以其简洁而深刻的语言和思想挑战传统价值观，成为20世纪文学与哲学的经典之作。
BOOKS BY RUSSIAN WRITERS
"War and Peace" by Leo Tolstoy
战争与和平-列夫·托尔斯泰
《战争与和平》是列夫·托尔斯泰的一部文学巨著，讲述了俄法战争期间俄罗斯社会的动荡与人性变化。小说以1805年至1820年间的俄国为背景，通过描写几个主要家族的命运交织，展现了战争与和平状态下的社会全景和个人的内心世界。
主要人物包括博尔孔斯基家族、罗斯托夫家族和别祖霍夫家族。安德烈·博尔孔斯基是一名理想主义者，他经历了战争的残酷和个人信仰的挣扎；娜塔莎·罗斯托娃则是一个天真活泼的贵族少女，她的成长经历充满了爱情与失落；皮埃尔·别祖霍夫，小说的精神核心，从一个迷茫的继承人逐步转变为追寻人生意义的思想者。
小说通过描写拿破仑战争中俄国的政治与军事局势，将个人命运与历史事件紧密结合。托尔斯泰详细描绘了奥斯特里茨战役、博罗季诺战役等历史场景，同时探讨战争的偶然性与必然性。
书中不止涉及宏大的历史叙事，还关注人性的复杂性和哲学问题，如自由意志与宿命、道德与信仰。托尔斯泰强调人与自然的和谐，认为真正的幸福源于内心的平静和无私的爱。
- 《战争与和平》以其丰富的细节、深刻的哲理思考和对人性洞察的广度，成为文学史上的不朽经典，被誉为“一部关于一切的小说”。
"Crime and Punishment" by Fyodor Dostoevsky 罪与罚-陀思妥耶夫斯基的代表作之一
《罪与罚》是俄国作家陀思妥耶夫斯基的代表作之一，初版于1866年。这部小说是一部哲学性极强的心理文学巨著，通过主人公的内心斗争，探讨道德、罪恶与救赎的深刻主题。
故事的主人公是罗季昂·拉斯科尔尼科夫，一名生活在圣彼得堡的穷困大学生。他深受社会不平等的刺激，逐渐形成了一种极端的“超人”理论，认为某些人有权为了更大的目标而超越道德和法律的束缚。基于这种信念，他策划并实施了一起谋杀案，杀害了一位贪婪的放债老妇人，希望用其财产改善自己的处境并帮助他人。然而，他在行动中意外杀死了老妇人的妹妹，这令他的内心更加痛苦。
犯罪后，拉斯科尔尼科夫被良心的谴责和心理的压力所折磨。他试图通过自我辩解来逃避罪责，但内心的矛盾和孤独感使他变得越来越不安。小说通过对他内心的深刻剖析，展现了罪恶如何摧毁一个人的精神世界。
在与索尼娅——一个贫困却虔诚的年轻女子的接触中，拉斯科尔尼科夫逐渐意识到忏悔和爱的重要性。最终，他向警察自首，并在流放西伯利亚的过程中，通过索尼娅的陪伴和信仰的力量，开始了精神上的复活。
《罪与罚》以其深刻的心理描写和对社会现实的批判，探讨了自由意志、道德冲突和人性救赎等永恒主题，成为世界文学史上不可磨灭的经典之作。
"Anna Karenina" by Leo Tolstoy 安娜·卡列尼娜-列夫·托尔斯泰
《安娜·卡列尼娜》是俄国作家列夫·托尔斯泰的经典之作，初版于1878年，被誉为世界文学史上最伟大的小说之一。小说通过交织的多个故事线，深刻探讨了爱情、家庭、社会与道德的主题。
故事的核心围绕安娜·卡列尼娜展开，她是一个美丽聪慧的贵族妇女，已婚且有一子。安娜在一次社交活动中邂逅了年轻英俊的军官弗龙斯基，两人迅速坠入热烈的爱情。然而，这段恋情违背了社会规范，导致安娜的婚姻破裂，她与丈夫卡列宁和儿子分离，并遭到贵族社会的排斥。
尽管安娜与弗龙斯基搬到乡下共同生活，但他们的感情逐渐被嫉妒、不安和矛盾所侵蚀。安娜渴望弗龙斯基全心全意的爱，却因为孤立和社会压力变得精神崩溃。最终，她在绝望中卧轨自杀，结束了自己的生命。
与安娜的悲剧性故事平行，小说还描写了康斯坦丁·列文的生活。他是一位土地贵族，通过与基蒂的婚姻找到了家庭的幸福，并在宗教和农业改革的探索中实现了精神上的安宁。列文的成长与安娜的堕落形成鲜明对比，展现了不同生活选择带来的结果。
托尔斯泰通过《安娜·卡列尼娜》，揭示了19世纪俄国社会中爱情、家庭和个人欲望与道德责任之间的冲突。这部小说因其复杂的角色塑造、对人性深刻的洞察和生动的社会描写，成为不朽的文学经典。
"The Brothers Karamazov" by Fyodor Dostoevsky 卡拉马佐夫兄弟-陀思妥耶夫斯基
《卡拉马佐夫兄弟》概要
《卡拉马佐夫兄弟》是俄国作家陀思妥耶夫斯基的最后一部小说，发表于1880年。这部作品被誉为世界文学的巅峰之作之一，以深刻的哲学思考和复杂的情节结构，探讨了信仰、道德、自由意志和人性的问题。
小说围绕卡拉马佐夫家族的悲剧展开。父亲费多尔·卡拉马佐夫是一个放荡无耻的富人，与三个性格迥异的儿子关系紧张。
- 长子德米特里（米佳）：冲动且充满激情，为了爱与金钱与父亲冲突不断。
- 次子伊凡：理性而冷峻，是无神论者，深陷道德与信仰的困惑。
- 三子阿廖沙：虔诚温和，是宗教信仰的象征和精神的化身。
费多尔的谋杀引发了家庭和社会的巨大震动。尽管德米特里因与父亲关系恶劣而被指控为凶手，但真实的罪犯却是私生子斯麦尔佳科夫，他因对父亲的憎恶和对伊凡的思想影响实施了犯罪。
小说通过多条故事线，深刻剖析了善恶的本质和信仰的意义。例如，伊凡的“宗教大法官”寓言揭示了人类对自由和权威的矛盾需求，而阿廖沙则通过爱与宽恕践行了基督教的精神。
《卡拉马佐夫兄弟》不仅是一部家庭悲剧，也是一部哲学巨著。它通过对角色复杂心理的描写和宗教、道德问题的深刻探讨，成为一部关于人性与信仰的永恒经典。
"Eugene Onegin" by Alexander Pushkin 叶甫盖尼·奥涅金-亚历山大·普希金
《叶甫盖尼·奥涅金》是俄国作家亚历山大·普希金创作的一部诗体小说，被誉为俄罗斯文学的瑰宝和“俄国生活的百科全书”。这部作品首次出版于1833年，通过优雅的韵文形式讲述了一个关于爱情、友谊和命运的动人故事，同时深刻展现了19世纪俄国社会的风貌。
故事的主人公叶甫盖尼·奥涅金是一个冷漠的贵族青年，他厌倦城市生活，继承了乡村庄园后搬到乡下生活。在那里，他与纯真善良的诗人连斯基结为朋友，并结识了连斯基的未婚妻奥尔加及其姐姐塔季扬娜。
塔季扬娜是一个天真且富于幻想的少女，对奥涅金一见钟情，并大胆地向他表白。然而，奥涅金因对爱情和生活的厌倦冷漠地拒绝了她。随后，在一场宴会上，奥涅金为取笑连斯基，与奥尔加调情，导致两人决斗，最终连斯基被奥涅金射杀。
多年后，奥涅金重返圣彼得堡，发现塔季扬娜已经成为一位高贵的贵族夫人。尽管他此时对塔季扬娜产生了深深的爱意，但塔季扬娜忠于自己的婚姻和道德，拒绝了他的追求。故事在奥涅金的孤独与悔恨中结束。
《叶甫盖尼·奥涅金》以其精美的诗体、深刻的情感和对时代的批判，成为俄国文学的重要里程碑。它不仅展现了普希金卓越的语言艺术，也反映了人性复杂与命运无常的永恒主题。
