When the stars of humanity shine

"When the Stars Shine" is Zweig's representative biography, first published in 1927. It has been revised and expanded from the original 5 articles to 14 articles.
Zweig selects 14 often overlooked yet profoundly significant moments from history: Balboa, a Spanish fugitive, discovered the Pacific Ocean, exemplifying the adventurous spirit of the Age of Exploration; Rouget, an ordinary French soldier, driven by an inexplicable passion, composed the now-world-famous "Marseillaise" overnight; and Field, a New York businessman, who, despite repeated setbacks, finally realized his grand dream by laying a telegraph cable under the Atlantic Ocean, connecting Europe and North America "at the speed of thought," freeing them from the constraints of time and space. Zweig also unearths rich details about the famous figures and events that shaped the course of history, skillfully depicting the causal connections of human destiny: Napoleon, facing off against all of Europe, was ultimately defeated at Waterloo because of Marshal Grouchy's hesitation for a minute; British explorer Scott, leading his expedition to the South Pole in arduous and freezing weather, discovered that others had already reached it; and Lenin, overcoming numerous obstacles, arriving at Finland Station, with the world poised for earth-shattering changes.
Through the hand of history, Zweig eulogizes the passion of ordinary people, pays tribute to the strong belief of great figures in fighting against fate, and gives the losers who have fallen in disgrace the dignity they deserve, because they are the stars that shine forever in the night of human history.

2017-11-30

上海译文出版社

Shanghai Translation New Text

279

9787532775910