Great and Small in History
From helping his son memorize ancient Chinese texts and uncovering the tender, paternal side of Zhuge Liang, to tracing the rollercoaster career of ghost-story legend Pu Songling, to highlighting forgotten heroes like Xu Yihou—an ordinary merchant who secretly changed the course of a war—*Great and Small in History* by Ma Boyong turns dry historical facts into relatable, engaging tales. Blending personal anecdotes, on-site explorations, and deep dives into quirky historical details (think ancient book piracy, imperial abdication persuasion tactics, and even famous literati’s toothache woes), this collection proves history isn’t just about emperors and battles. It’s the small, human moments—the frustrated bricklayer’s graffiti, the nervous exam-taker’s bold essay, the homesick merchant’s secret intelligence—that truly reveal the past. Perfect for casual history buffs and anyone who loves seeing history through a modern, everyday lens.