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suspendedinair's review
4.0
Disclaimer: I don't know shit about the past, China, Mao, communism or anything, so I'm in no position to comment on the accuracy of this book.
Skylines of concrete of smoking workhouses adorn Mao's ideal world. Jung Chang's style is approachable and easy to grasp. Her research (because so many relevant documents are still locked up today) seems to be pretty reliant on informal interviews.
Chang doesn't skimp on thrill. We learn about the Chairman's wives, affairs, friendships, back stabs, shady use of funds, desires, and fuck ups. How he eliminated everyone who stood up to him and instilled fear while eliminating individual thought. All the mansions he built and never lived in, and how he shipped most of China's food production to Eastern European nations while rationing his own people. And how he hid all of this.
I wish there would have been more gossip on Mao's relationships with Che and Castro, but you can't have it all, I guess. It was interesting to read how Mao's ambitions grew over time and what a pro he was at calling a duck a goose, and getting everyone else to follow suit. Most fascinating were the letters and journal entries he wrote, which revealed that in his quest for world domination he was prepared to sacrifice some 30% of the Chinese population.
If you're curious about his obsession with the Korean War, how China managed to donate a higher percentage of its GDP to its allies than the USA donated to hers, the formation of propaganda still believed today, the reasons he DIDN'T actually want to thwart the Japanese invaders, or the knife held behind his back while smiling at the USSR, this book is for you.
An eye-opening portrait of one of history's most influential, cruel, strategic and inhumane dictators.
Skylines of concrete of smoking workhouses adorn Mao's ideal world. Jung Chang's style is approachable and easy to grasp. Her research (because so many relevant documents are still locked up today) seems to be pretty reliant on informal interviews.
Chang doesn't skimp on thrill. We learn about the Chairman's wives, affairs, friendships, back stabs, shady use of funds, desires, and fuck ups. How he eliminated everyone who stood up to him and instilled fear while eliminating individual thought. All the mansions he built and never lived in, and how he shipped most of China's food production to Eastern European nations while rationing his own people. And how he hid all of this.
I wish there would have been more gossip on Mao's relationships with Che and Castro, but you can't have it all, I guess. It was interesting to read how Mao's ambitions grew over time and what a pro he was at calling a duck a goose, and getting everyone else to follow suit. Most fascinating were the letters and journal entries he wrote, which revealed that in his quest for world domination he was prepared to sacrifice some 30% of the Chinese population.
If you're curious about his obsession with the Korean War, how China managed to donate a higher percentage of its GDP to its allies than the USA donated to hers, the formation of propaganda still believed today, the reasons he DIDN'T actually want to thwart the Japanese invaders, or the knife held behind his back while smiling at the USSR, this book is for you.
An eye-opening portrait of one of history's most influential, cruel, strategic and inhumane dictators.
aubreystapp's review
5.0
I thought it was fantastic, so informative and interesting. I'd recommend it to anyone!
bloodyfool0's review
challenging
dark
informative
sad
slow-paced
4.75
What a book! We get the closest look into Mao's legacy and contempt he held over his own coterie and citizens. The man didn't care about the Japanese, the Nationalists, but only himself and the power he yielded. The fact that he was much more cruel even than the Japanese says a lot, however, the most disturbing fact is that he is revered in China.
The CCP still exists and it should be a reminder that history will repeat itself under Xi Jinping, the self-declared emperor for life. For Xi may not be a sadist like Mao, Xi retains the power and control over its own people. He is an ultra-nationalist who like Mao believes he can take over the world by financing other countries a la BRI. China is now suffering economically and many of its overseas loans are not doing particularly well. We'll see how Xi makes his moves for he appears for all intents a carbon copy of Mao.
The CCP still exists and it should be a reminder that history will repeat itself under Xi Jinping, the self-declared emperor for life. For Xi may not be a sadist like Mao, Xi retains the power and control over its own people. He is an ultra-nationalist who like Mao believes he can take over the world by financing other countries a la BRI. China is now suffering economically and many of its overseas loans are not doing particularly well. We'll see how Xi makes his moves for he appears for all intents a carbon copy of Mao.
mystifiedbulb22's review against another edition
4.0
His rule killed 70 million people during peacetime. What a knob.
In all seriousness, this is a thoroughly researched, immense evisceration of one of the most powerful figures of the 20th century.
In all seriousness, this is a thoroughly researched, immense evisceration of one of the most powerful figures of the 20th century.
adamhecktman's review
5.0
Yet another sadistic, narcissistic, lying schmuck. I imagine that this is the book that Melania Trump reads Donald before bed so that he has sweet dreams.
shane_il's review
4.0
About a quarter of the thickness of the book is citations, meaning this work is incredibly well sourced and researched. Even with all this factual information the author wrote the book in a way that makes it very captivating and hard to put down. I learned a lot of new information from this book and enjoyed reading it. One of the best biographies I have read so far.
cindy_shamel's review
4.0
This book is well researched from primary and secondary sources. For someone familiar with the recent history of China, it will be especially readable and informative. For me, as a relative novice in this field, I had to read slowly and thoughtfully to put the pieces together. I highly recommend this book for real insights into China and Mao.