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This book is one of the "Peking University Academic Lecture Series". The author Li Oufan is a well-known scholar in the field of modern literary research and criticism. The author talks in a relaxed way about cutting-edge academic issues in recent years, such as modernity, cultural studies, humanistic spirit, urban culture, etc. From modernity in literature since the late Qing Dynasty to the May Fourth New Culture Movement, to the relationship between modernity and the entire modern Chinese literature, as well as the discussion of Shanghai and urban culture, the author presents his thoughts and opinions on many cutting-edge issues in these articles. What is especially valuable is that most of the author's thoughts are presented in the form of lectures, which are vivid and charming. Unlike other large articles, which hand over a fixed concept to the readers, we can always see the author's thinking, way of exploring the problem, including his confusion. It should be said that these articles have a clear and concise meaning, and the propositions and ideas in these articles have been carefully demonstrated and extended in the author's other monographs.

The essays by Leo Ou-fan selected in this book come from various collections of essays by Leo Ou-fan. They are compiled into five series according to different classifications under relatively concentrated themes. The first volume "Times Past" mainly presents Li Oufan's experience of studying abroad, as well as some of the author's thoughts and historical and humanistic thoughts on the universities he has studied in during his many years of overseas academic background. The second volume of "Chang Huaisi People" brings together Professor Li Oufan's memories and remembrances of his teachers, relatives, colleagues and friends. The third volume of "Literary Journey" is the author's review and comments on world literature and some writers as a scholar. The fourth volume "Humanistic Space" reflects the author's observation and experience of modern cities and modern architecture, while the fifth volume "Music Past" displays the author's appreciation and perception of music and humanities, expressing the author's extremely high musical accomplishment. These five aspects all reflect the author's unique and professional understanding of culture and art, as well as his love for life, nature, relatives, friends, and teachers. The whole book expresses the author's love for life, nature, and art. Although he is a scholar, in terms of writing level and quantity, Li Oufan is not far behind and can definitely be regarded as a first-class writer. As a scholar, most of Li Oufan's life from studying in the United States in 1962 to his retirement from Harvard (2004) was a life of scholarship and writing. This book is a collection of his many years of writing.

Modernism is a new art and literary style that emerged in the 1920s. Artists rebelled against the stereotypes of the late 19th century and turned to a way that they believed was more emotionally authentic to express their true feelings and thoughts. Li Oufan's collection of essays "Modernism" comes from Woody Allen's "Midnight in Paris". On the surface it is about nostalgia, but in fact it is a tribute to the masters or writers in his own way. This list includes Tolstoy, Dostoevsky, Mahler, Liszt, Yes, Wang Wenxing, Bei Dao, Han Suyin, etc.

In the 20th century, the study of modern Chinese literature and cultural history became a trend in European and American Sinological circles, and Professor Li Oufan's achievements are the most eye-catching. In the midst of the realistic talk about modern literature, he reminded us that there is another group of writers who have used their passionate voices and unique behaviors to interpret China's modern experience. Many of these topics have become hot topics in the academic world. Compared with the wandering attitude of traditional overseas scholar writers, Li Oufan advocates a free and marginal critical stance, which coincides with many contemporary cultural theories; and his academic attitude of always studying everywhere and not caring about it makes people nostalgic for the ancient times.