本文簡要述說了本期《思與言》推出「近代中國的閱讀、出版與文化」專輯的意義，並對台灣史學界開展這個新興領域的可能方向，略抒管見。筆者認為，只要我們調整研究視野，轉換觀察角度，重行解讀各式各樣的既存材料，可以揭示的歷史空間，必然寬廣無邊，能夠再現的歷史圖像，也是豐富多樣。

This essay gives some preliminary ideas about how to construct the history of reading and publishing in the context of modern Chinese culture. This is a new field in the study of modern China, and the author seeks to discuss possible approaches to explore it. The author suggests that if we can change our understanding of the sources available from the late Qing, we can open up a new world of modern Chinese history, which will in turn further our knowledge about the cultural history of modern China.