The literary era since 1979

Chapter 273: Books without a Store
After the Q&A session, Fangyan was surrounded by students. Everyone seemed to be still interested in listening and continued to ask various questions.

"Teacher Fang, you said you would write today's speech into your new book." A Chinese international student suddenly asked, "Then, where can I buy your book?"

"I'm sorry, I haven't finished writing the new book yet."

Fangyan shook his head and laughed.

In an instant, the impatient students urged him to continue, wishing they could lock him up in a small dark room.

After all, the dialect of "Guns, Viruses, and Steel"
What a timely rain!
While answering their questions, Fangyan secretly advertised "Saving Private Ryan".

Make money, don’t be shabby!
After the students left, Nie Hualing applauded and said, "Yanzi, your speech was so good. It really opened our eyes!"

"No, no, it's just my personal opinion."

Fangyan felt relieved.

Fortunately, I watched a lot of domestic documentaries such as "A General History of China" and "The Rise of Great Powers" in my previous life. Now, because I am creating the "The Grandmaster Huang Feihong" series, I have read many historical works such as "World History", "Historical Research" and "A Global History".

"Stop being humble."

Xiao Qian smiled and took the initiative to introduce him: "This is Professor Sean, the dean of the College of Humanities and Social Sciences at the University of Iowa. He is very proficient in American history research. This is Professor Jeffrey, who has unique insights into the history of indigenous peoples in Asia and North America. This is Professor Wilson, an expert in European history..."

"Hello."

Bai Ruoxue watched Fangyan shake hands with the foreigners one by one, and took the initiative to translate for him.

Jeffrey Walter said with emotion: "This is really ingenious."

Fang Yanxiao said: "After reading Toynbee's "A Study of History" and other works, I completely agree with his academic point of view that history should be studied as a macro object, rather than just staying at one nation, one country or one time period."

He paused and said, "However, Toynbee believed that the more difficult the environment, the more likely it is to forge the spark of civilization. Every time a difficulty is overcome, the civilization will take a step forward. I hold a different view. I think this is subject to prerequisites."

"For example, due to the climate and geographical environment, it is impossible for an advanced civilization to develop within the Arctic Circle. The prerequisite for the birth of brilliant civilizations in Europe and Asia is that the latitude and climate are suitable for the development of agriculture and there are domesticable animals and plants."

"So you think it's the geographical environment, not racial superiority or inferiority?" Jeffrey Walter was curious.

Fangyan nodded and said, "The rise of civilization has nothing to do with the superiority or inferiority of races. It mainly depends on the environment in which civilization is created."

"You mentioned in your speech just now that the 'vertical continent' restricted the development of Native American civilization."

Jeffrey Walter asked, "Can you elaborate on that?"

"The 'horizontal' continents running from east to west are more conducive to the development of civilization than the 'vertical' continents running from north to south. For example, Africa and America belong to the vertical continents. This is not because the people on the horizontal continents are smarter, but because the people on the horizontal continents encounter fewer difficulties."

"First, whether you're heading east or west, because the latitudes are similar, the climate is likely to be similar."

"It is easy for domesticated plants and animals to migrate. On the contrary, it is difficult to transplant them to the south or north. As an old Chinese saying goes, 'Oranges grown in the south of the Huai River are oranges, while those grown in the north of the Huai River are bitter oranges'..."

When the key word "vertical continent" was mentioned, coupled with the simple explanation in dialect, Jeffrey Walter had a flash of inspiration and couldn't help clapping his hands in approval: "This is really an amazing point of view. I am looking forward to your new book."

When asked about the title of the book, Fang Yan said: "I'm temporarily calling it Guns, Viruses, and Steel."

Sean Michael said: "Once this book is published, if nothing unexpected happens, I think it will cause a sensation across the United States."

"Really that powerful?"

Nie Hualing, Paul Anger and others were all surprised. Jeffrey Walter nodded, "Whether it is geopolitical determinism or longitudinal continental theory, it has made great breakthroughs and enlightenments in the study of the history of America and Africa. Based on these achievements alone, I think it is enough to award the Pulitzer Prize for History Writing!"

Wang Anyi and Bai Ruoxue looked at each other and asked about the origin of the Pulitzer Prize.

The Pulitzer Prize was established according to the will of American newspaper magnate Joseph Pulitzer.

There are not only journalism awards and literature awards, but also history awards.

There is no limit on the nationality of the winners of the journalism award, but the winning works must be published in American newspapers. The literature award is only given to American writers. Neither "Saving Private Ryan" nor "Guns, Viruses, and Steel" can be shortlisted for these two awards.

There is only one exception, which is the historical writing award.

The conditions have been relaxed to include no nationality restrictions, but as long as the writing involves American history, one has the opportunity to win this award.

Liu Wuxiong and others were very excited when they heard this.

If Fangyan really won the Pulitzer Prize, he would be the first Chinese to win the award. It would bring honor not only to overseas Chinese, but also to Chinese writers!

"I'm afraid it won't be that easy to complete completely."

Fangyan said that he did not have so much detailed data and information on hand, and it would take some time just to collect and organize them.

"We can help you in any way we can, if you'd like."

Sean Michael said that the school could open its library and database to him, and that he could have academic exchanges with history professors at any time and discuss any issues.

Originally, the University of Iowa supported Nie Hualing and Paul Engel's "International Writing Program" with the aim of increasing the university's international visibility and enhancing the reputation and strength of its humanities and social sciences, thereby attracting international students from all over the country.

Right now, "Guns, Viruses, and Steel" is an excellent opportunity. The various viewpoints in it are brand new perspectives for anthropology, history, and sociology, and can fully promote the cross-integration of multiple disciplines such as human history and historical sociology.

If this book can be published by the University of Iowa, it will definitely make a name for itself among universities and the academic community across the United States.

“Let the University of Iowa Press publish it?”

Fangyan did not agree immediately.

"There's no need to rush into making decisions."

Xiao Qian first reminded him in Chinese, then switched to English: "Sean, I think it would be better to give him a few days to think about it. What do you think?"

"Alright."

"Fang, you don't have to give us an answer now."

Sean Michael said that he could consult Paul Angle and others about publishing matters, and it would not be too late to make a decision after understanding the situation clearly.

"I'll think about it carefully."

Seeing them chatting and laughing, Pan Yaoming, Wang Anyi and others were filled with envy.

Bo Yang, on the other hand, stood alone at the outermost edge of the crowd, with no one paying any attention to him.

I couldn't help but think in my mind that people's joys and sorrows are not shared, their happiness is theirs, and I just think they are noisy.

(End of this chapter)