在一定的意義上，這本書是一本思想對話集，讀者可以從中真實地了解到優秀的美國大學生訓練有素的獨立思考和批判性思維能力。正是這種能力和開放的思想，使他們能夠在短短一個學期之中，從對中國古代文化知識近乎於零的起步，步入了中國思想與文學的殿堂。

從這些學生的文章中，我們看到了東西方文明，在思想和感情上深度交流的可能，也看到了中國優秀文化的偉大力量與無遠弗屆的魅力。中國文化能够被西方年輕人理解、欣賞甚至熱愛。展望未來，各種文明有望通過對話學習借鑒，取得 相互了解，達到文化的溝通交融，和諧相處。

In a sense, this book is a cultural dialogue between Eastern and Western civilizations, a dialogue between ancient Chinese philosophers and contemporary American youth as well. It is also a thought-provoking communication between American students and Chinese scholars.

Feeling genuinely rewarded, we see American college students, with their strong skills of critical thinking, have gained so much from learning about ancient Chinese culture in only one semester. It is even more gratifying that the essays on classical Chinese philosophy and literature by our students also serve as a testament that young people of the West can understand, appreciate and even love classical Chinese culture. What we have been doing at CUNY-Brooklyn College gives us strong reasons to believe that communication between cultures does promote mutual understanding, empathy and harmony in this globalizing world.