10 books that influenced human history
Robert Downes is the former president of the National Library Association and director of the University of Illinois Library. He once wrote a book called "The Book That Changed the World." The book introduces books that influenced world history. Now I recommend these books to everyone.
1. "The Prince"
Author Niccolo Machiavelli (Italy)
Machiavelli in "The Prince" The theory of monarchical rule and political power elaborated in "The Prince", that is, Machiavellianism, became the governing principle for all ruling classes in later generations to consolidate their rule.
2. "Common Sense"
Author Thomas Paine (UK)
Paine was born on January 29, 1737, in a civilian family in Norfolk, eastern England. , and later moved to the United States. "Common Sense" was officially published on January 16, 1776. Common Sense profoundly exposed the nature of the British monarchy and colonial rule. Paine pointed out: "In England, the things a king can do are often not to sell officials and provoke wars." ...The King of England is a royal savage, a robber wearing a crown. ?Colonial rule is an intolerable evil. ?
In the chapter "Contemplation of the Current Situation in the United States," Paine used inspiring words to appeal: "Enough of the American people have been brutally killed by tyrannical rulers." Their red blood is sprinkled all over nature, and they make whimpering sounds, as if they are accusing and calling: now is the time to take an independent movement! People who love mankind, people who dare to oppose tyranny and tyrants, please stand in the front !?
The strong response to "Common Sense" was unusual. Franklin was very excited after reading it and called it "a work of genius".
George Trevelyan wrote in "History of the American Revolution": It is difficult to find another book that has had such a direct, extensive, and lasting impact on the revolutionary process as "Common Sense". ...According to reports from newspapers and periodicals around the world, "Common Sense" guided hundreds of millions of people in the struggle for independence and created miracles on earth. ?
People remember Paine as the "Father of American Independence". People remember Paine as the person who first proposed the name of the "United States of America" and the country, and who was the first to declare "the United States". Career is also very much a human cause. ?As Andrew Jackson said: ?Paine does not need an artificial monument. His monument has already stood in the hearts of people who love freedom and independence. ?
3. "The Wealth of Nations"
Author Adam Smith (UK)
"The Wealth of Nations" was officially published on March 9, 1776. The content of "The Wealth of Nations" is not limited to economics, it is a "small encyclopedia" of political, economic and social issues.
The famous British economist J.A.R Marriott once made a general comment on Adam Smith. He said: "Perhaps no contemporary work is as important as "The Wealth of Nations". Scientific economic thought and administrative management characteristics have had such a profound impact. There is every reason to believe that the influence of Adam Smith's work will continue. ?
4. "A Theory of Population"
Author Thomas Malthus (UK)
"A Theory of Population" was published in the form of a pamphlet in 1798, about Fifty thousand words. The second edition of the book was published in 1803. "Population" provided an in-depth analysis of the nature and causes of poverty, and soon became a political economics work as famous as "The Wealth of Nations".
The famous economist John Maynard is the most fair and typical in his comments about Thomas. He said: In the history of human science from the eighteenth century to the present, Malthus is the same as John. The names of Locke, David Hume, Adam Smith, Charles Darwin, William Paley, James Mill, Jeremy Bentham and others are closely connected, not only emotionally, but also in In essence, he belongs to the ranks of great men. His "On Population" occupies a pivotal position in the history of the development of human thought. ?
5. "Disobedience"
Author Henry David Thoreau (USA)
Henry David Thoreau's "Disobedience" The masthead of "On Obedience" is: "The best government is a government that doesn't do anything at all." ?
In "Disobedience", Thoreau used sharp writing to analyze the nature of the country and government, criticized the unreasonable tax system, and exposed the evil slavery and autocratic regime.
Solow believes that government is at best a temporary measure, but most governments are sometimes not like this. For example, the U.S. government, although it is relatively good, is essentially a slave government and wants to make it permanent. Therefore, it is the duty of citizens to fight against the evil practices of the government.
He wrote: "If one-sixth of the people in a country that claims to be the sanctuary of freedom are slaves, then upright people will definitely rise up and carry out revolution." ?
Under the historical circumstances at that time, the revolutionary nature embodied in Thoreau's "Disobedience" is self-evident. Later generations called it "the revolutionary manifesto of the nineteenth century" and "the most noble doctrine of resistance in the history of the New World". As the years go by, its impact will be felt across the globe.
6. "Uncle Tom's Cabin"
Author Mrs. Stowe (Harriet Beecher Stowe) (USA)
"Uncle Tom's Cabin" "The Cabin" has a profound impact on social development, especially the abolition movement and the Civil War in the United States. In 1862, President Lincoln met Mrs. Stowe at the White House and praised her highly. This little woman wrote a book that led to a great war. The famous writer Charles Sumner said: Without Mrs. Stowe's "Uncle Tom's Cabin", Abraham Lincoln would not have been elected president of the United States. ?
7. "Das Kapital"
Author Karl Marx (Germany)
On September 14, 1869, the first volume of "Das Kapital" was published in Hamburg Officially published, it is written in German. Its first English translation was not published until 1887. "Das Kapital" starts from commodity analysis and puts forward the theory of labor value and surplus value. This is a major contribution of Marx.
Another major contribution of Marx is the creation of dialectics. Over a hundred years after Marx's "Das Kapital" was published, the world situation has undergone tremendous changes. "Das Kapital" has become the bible of the working class in various countries. Later generations have not forgotten the historical achievements established by Marx. People of different classes, different skin colors, different professions, and different countries all spoke highly of him.
The proletariat quotes Engels: Just as Darwin discovered the law of evolution in the biological world, Marx discovered the law of development of human history. ?Marx is the "Darwin" of sociology and the "Newton" of economics.
Although scientist Bazin believes that "Das Kapital" is difficult to read and has a loose structure, he also admits that Marx's book is "a masterpiece" and "embodies the emotions and demands of the proletariat."
The theorist Nair pointed out that Marx proved that he was the "symbol and leader of the proletarian struggle" with the achievements of "Das Kapital".
Another typical evaluation was made by Dr. Freehoff: This great man who once lived in poverty has brought hope to the world to eradicate poverty. His theory fundamentally Changing people's thinking in modern times? I think this is the indelible historical contribution left by Marx. ?
8. "Naval Strategy"
Author Alfred Mahan (USA)
In 1890, Mahan published his masterpiece "Naval Strategy" The Impact of Sea Power on History: 1660? 1783? Also known as "Naval Strategy."
The book that made Mahan famous overseas is essentially a history of the establishment and expansion of British sea power from the mid-seventeenth century to the end of the Napoleonic Wars. Mahan emphasized that no matter what country, if it wants to play an important role in world affairs, it must control sea power. Sea power is the decisive factor in ruling the world. To be able to control sea power, six conditions must be met: geographical location, natural environment, territory, population, national quality and government mechanisms. Therefore, Mahan believes that a history of sea power is actually a history of national politics and military affairs. ?
"Naval Strategy" became very popular as soon as it was published in 1890. It was successively translated into German, French, Italian, Russian, Japanese, Spanish and other languages, becoming the most influential book at that time. One of the world's bestsellers.
Undoubtedly, the publication of "Naval Strategy" not only summarized the evolution of historical sea power, but also complied with the expansion needs of Western powers, especially Britain. Mahan's reputation grew with "Naval Strategy."
Whoever controls the ocean controls the world. ? Mahan's famous saying was confirmed in the two world wars. His "Naval Strategy" and other representative works, "The Influence of Sea Power on the French Revolution, 1793-1812" and "The Relationship between Sea Power and the War of 1812" marked new developments in the development of world military science and history. milestone. An American commentator said: No one has so directly and profoundly influenced the foreign policies of so many countries regarding sea power as Mahan. A French naval strategist believes: Mahan's theory of sea power has changed the history of the era we live in to a certain extent. ?
9. "Geopolitics"
Author Halford Mackinder (UK)
Whoever rules Eastern Europe controls Heartland; whoever rules the Heartland controls the World Island; whoever rules the World Island controls the whole world. ?This famous quote by British geographer Halford Mackinder is a concentrated summary of geopolitics.
Fourteen years after the publication of Mahan's "Naval Strategy", that is, in 1904, Mackinder published "Geopolitics". This book further elaborated and developed the basic ideas of "Naval Strategy" and also had a profound impact on the course of world history.
10. "Mein Kampf"
Author Adolf Hitler (Germany)
Hitler's "Mein Kampf" was published in 1925. The book later became the blueprint for the Third Reich. Some people call "Mein Kampf" "a masterpiece of contemporary demagoguery" and "a record of the crimes that exterminated humanity in the twentieth century." This is very accurate.
Hitler believed that all life is an eternal struggle, and the world is just a jungle where the fittest survive and the strong rule, a world where the weak eat the strong and the weak prevail. If Germany wants to restore its status as a world power and become the "master of the earth", it must first have a final reckoning with France...a final decisive battle. ...Germany really only saw the destruction of France as a means to enable future expansion elsewhere for our people. ?
Regarding the nature of the future Nazi state, Hitler pointed out in "Mein Kampf" that the Third Reich would implement the "leadership principle", that is, implement dictatorship. In this country, the head of state must be established, Hitler himself. ?’s absolute power is surrounded by a group of relatively minor leaders who serve as a link between the previous leader and the next. Hitler believed that this "new type of country" should be based on race, and the optimal race was the Aryans.
In addition, in order to achieve his own arrogant ambitions, Hitler proposed that three methods must be used: propaganda, diplomacy and force. The most effective propaganda method of the Nazi Party is that it must play tricks and learn to lie. Hitler's famous saying is "Tell heaven to hell and hell to heaven", "The bigger the lie, the more people believe it".
In short, Hitler exaggerated the terrible "living space theory" and "racial superiority theory" in "Mein Kampf", venting his deep hatred for the Jews, democracy and Marxism. In this book Under the influence of ideological influence, Germany embarked on the path of massacring innocent people (especially Jews) and resorting to militarism.
Historian Norman Cousins correctly analyzed the relationship between "Mein Kampf" and the tragic consequences of World War II. He pointed out: "Mein Kampf" is a masterpiece of the twentieth century. An extremely important book, which dominated the politics of the Nazi Third Reich from 1933 to the end of World War II... Every word in "Mein Kampf" made one hundred and twenty-five people... Lives were lost; for each page, 4,700 people lost their lives; for each chapter, an average of 1.2 million people lost their lives.
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