Upon receiving from Brother Zhong Wen the electronic version of Four Hundred Years of America, I was deeply impressed by its rich content and detailed documentation. It is evident that he devoted considerable effort and care to this book in order to complete such a substantial work, providing Chinese readers who wish to understand American history with a valuable pathway.

I have known Brother Zhong Wen for nearly forty years. In 1981, he was a reporter at Zhong Bao, while I was covering news for Chinese Express. He left the impression of being gentle and refined, somewhat shy when speaking, yet sharp and incisive in his writing. Even a simple piece of news would often be handled with great skill in his hands, earning him the respect of his peers and the praise of discerning members of the Chinese community. In 1987, Brother Zhong Wen left journalism and turned to the real estate business, where he was still able to perform with ease. Later, he moved to California to pursue further development, and thereafter we could only exchange greetings by card each Christmas. A few years ago, he retired and returned to the East Coast, settling in Washington, D.C., where he devoted himself wholeheartedly to writing. Four Hundred Years of America is one of his major achievements.

America clearly has only about 240 years of history—so where do the four hundred years come from? How did the United States become a global superpower, and what position have Chinese people occupied in American history? Four Hundred Years of America will certainly explain all of this to readers one by one, enabling everyone to gain a comprehensive understanding of America’s past and present.

February 18, 2020