As you begin your university journey, you are welcomed into an expansive world of knowledge. From the humanities and social sciences to the natural sciences, every field holds its own appeal. But how can you quickly grasp the core of a discipline and find what truly resonates with you? The library is here to help with a special recommendation: the Very Short Introductions (VSI) series from Oxford University Press.

初入大学，你面对的是一个无比广阔的知识世界。人文、社科、自然科学......每一扇门后都有迷人的风景。但如何快速了解一个学科的核心魅力，判断它是否与自己契合?图书馆为大家准备了一份特别的礼物——“牛津通识读本”系列丛书(Very Short Introductions, VSI)，助你博览百科精华，在知识的海洋中找到属于自己的热爱所在。

What are Very Short Introductions?

何为“牛津通识读本”?

Launched by Oxford University Press in 1995, the VSI series has sold over ten million copies worldwide and is widely recognised as "a readable and comprehensive library of essential knowledge". The series covers a remarkable range of subjects, including philosophy, religion, logic, politics, economics, history, literature, psychology, astronomy, design, and many more, as well as contemporary topics such as animal rights, feminism, globalisation, and big data. "Short, Sharp, Inspiring" - concise, precise, and thought-provoking - is the founding principle and defining character of the series.

“牛津通识读本”系列由牛津大学出版社策划，自1995年起陆续出版，全球销量已逾千万册，被誉为“一个可读性强且包罗万象的工具书图书馆”。该系列涵盖哲学、宗教、逻辑、政治、经济、历史、文学、心理、天文、设计等各大学科门类，也包括动物权利、女性主义、全球化、大数据等热门议题，选题跨度极大、覆盖面广。“Short, Sharp, Inspiring”——短小、精炼、启迪人心，是这套书的初心，也是它最鲜明的特质。

Whether your interests lie in the humanities or the sciences, there is a VSI book for you. Each volume opens a conversation with a discipline - a conversation that may spark new curiosity, broaden your perspective, or even point the way toward deeper study.

无论你是对人文思想充满好奇，还是对自然科学心怀向往，这里总有一本适合你。翻开一本，你便获得了一次与学科对话的机会。无论是为了拓展视野、满足好奇心，还是为未来的深入研习寻找方向，这套书都能为你提供可靠而亲切的入门指引。

Where to find these books?

如何找到这些书?

The library holds a collection of English-language VSI titles, shelved across different floors according to subject area. We have compiled a recommended reading list for your reference. Feel free to explore the shelves and borrow any titles that catch your interest.

图书馆馆藏中拥有“牛津通识读本”系列的英文原版，分散收藏于不同楼层的相关学科书架上。我们特别整理了一份推荐书单，你可以根据自己的兴趣方向，前往图书馆自主查找和借阅。

In addition, you may also directly enter "Very Short Introductions" into LibAI Portal, and the library AI assistant will retrieve all holding locations for you and list the copies currently available for borrowing.

此外，你也可以在 LibAI Portal 中直接输入“牛津通识读本”，由图书馆 AI 助手为你检索所有馆藏位置，并列出当前可借的副本。

Knowledge knows no bounds, and curiosity is the best guide. We hope this list marks the beginning of an exciting intellectual journey for you. Pick up a VSI volume - let a moment of curiosity open the door to a broader world.

知识的世界广阔无垠，而兴趣是最好的引路人。希望这份清单能开启你的探索之旅。翻开一本"牛津通识读本”，让一次好奇的翻阅成为你通往未来专业的起点。