"When the Stars Shine" has a long reputation. I just finished reading it this morning, and I have some feelings. At first, I heard that this book originated from lamenting the author Zweig's life ending. After reading it, I found that there are 14 stories in the book, including 3 geographical discoveries, 5 political wars, 5 literature and art, and 1 scientific and technological inventions. All of them are based on the western world, and the author selectively recreates literature. Words are not as straightforward as history books, but they are beautiful and romantic. Regarding honor and disgrace, interests, conquest, art, dedication, freedom, ideals, responsibilities ... Who would have thought that sometimes just one person, a moment's decision and a day's action will become the key to determining future generations? These nodes may be well-known in all directions, perhaps tragic and sad; Maybe larger foe, maybe generous; Maybe the history of history will be remembered, maybe it will be lamented ... Old glory and new humiliation are shining stars, which converge into the mighty galaxy of human history. Field, who most admired laying cables, found the most worthwhile career at the best age of his life and realized impeccable idealism. I like the story with a sad background best-the first trip to the South Pole. Nowadays, many things are taken for granted. I don't know how many people are moving forward wave after wave. For the sake of national honor and personal ambition, they have given all their perseverance, courage and unyielding in this life. Although everything is desolate, they still shine. The following contents:

"At the end of the human world, for him, there is only one way to escape, and that is to escape to the actions of great men and seek refuge in the immortal cause. -Immortal fugitive, 15 13, Spanish explorer balboa first discovered the Pacific Ocean.

History is like life, lost moments will not come back because of regret, and things delayed in just one hour cannot be redeemed in a thousand years. -The fall of the Millennium Empire. 1453, Sultan Muhammad Ⅱ of Ottoman Empire captured Constantinople, the capital of Byzantine Empire.

The greater his victory in this world, the more humble he is before God. -Han Deer resurrected, 174 1 year, German musician Han Deer miraculously recovered from hemiplegia and wrote the classic hymn Messiah.

Although a work of art may be forgotten, banned and completely buried, something full of vitality will eventually overcome something without vitality. -One-night genius 1792 Captain Rouge of France finished the creation of La Marseillaise in a few hours, which later became the national anthem of France.

Fate disdainfully shuts the timid out. It only wishes to lift the brave with warm arms and send them to the paradise of heroes. -A minute to decide the world, 18 15, French Marshal grouchy misjudged the situation, which led to Napoleon's disastrous defeat in the Battle of Waterloo.

That day was a watershed, and he entered eternal peace after grief. -Old age and love, 1823, 74-year-old Goethe wrote marion Budd, a love swan song for 19-year-old lover.

Overnight, suter was as poor as a beggar, just like King Midas, and was finally strangled alive by the gold he touched. Now he hates money very much. It was gold that made him poor. It killed his three children and ruined his life. -the discovery of Huang Jinguo, 1848, the Swiss souter triggered a "gold rush" in the western United States.

Only after touching the bitter lips of death can his heart feel the sweetness of life. -The moment of rebirth, 1849, the Russian writer Dostoevsky was pardoned by the czar one minute before the execution.

A man has found his mission in life, and a mission has also found the people it needs. This is an unprecedented victory: since thinking began to exist on the earth, an idea has crossed the ocean at its own speed. -Crossing the ocean, 1858, American businessman Field successfully laid the Atlantic submarine cable.

Behind all inaction, there is always a timid soul. A person's spiritual life, his last thought, will always be a secret between him and his God. -Flee to God, 19 10 Russian writer Tolstoy left home at the last moment of his life.

In the outstanding confrontation, a heroic death can give birth to new life, and a fire can also give birth to the will to climb the peak. Finally, he wrote the following wish with trembling fingers: "Please give this diary to my wife!" " Then, sadly and decisively, he crossed out "my wife" and wrote the terrible word "my widow" beside it. -Unrealized ambition, 19 12, the second British expedition was killed on its way back to the South Pole.

In the new course of human history, no shell can shoot farther than this train, which is more decisive for human destiny. -Close the train, 19 17, Lenin ended his exile in Switzerland and returned to Russia.

One can never defend people's freedom for a long time, but can only defend one's inner freedom forever. -Head on the rostrum 43 years ago, Cicero, an ancient Roman politician, failed to save the Republic and volunteered to meet the assassination.

Once a person makes a compromise, he will never stop. Compromise will inevitably lead to new compromise. -the fall of ideals and peace. 19 19, US President Wilson planned to go bankrupt.

When the value of a culture declines, people who are transformed by this culture will feel pain. The greater the performance of this culture, the more painful it will be. Very deep, but hardly because of suicide, nor for their own peace of mind. -Yesterday's World, 1942 Because of pessimism about the situation in Europe and disappointment with the life in exile, the Austrian writer Zweig and his second wife committed suicide in Rio de Janeiro. "

PS。 Liang Xijiang's translated version is very good. As mentioned in the postscript, as translators, we should look for cultural differences from the perspective of ordinary readers and try our best to search for information to complete our knowledge. Because only by truly understanding each other can we better understand ourselves, our uniqueness and how different other nationalities and cultures are.