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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.
impla77's review
challenging
dark
slow-paced
4.0
A thorough, if biased, biography
Content Warnings
Graphic: Torture, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Cannibalism, Violence, War, Mental illness, Genocide, Death, Suicide attempt, and Suicide
rowenaelizabeth's review against another edition
challenging
dark
informative
reflective
sad
slow-paced
4.25
lpassanisi's review
1.0
In some ways, I loved this book - it was fascinating. Unfortunately, I couldn't believe a word of it (though I imagine a good chunk of the facts are true). Chen is to Mao as Michael Moore is to documentaries. She never wants you to think for yourself.
This book is sold as a biography, not an editorial. Yet Chen takes minute (and unverifiable?) details from Mao's life and goes on wild acid trips with them: "As a four-year old, Mao ate vegetables. Clearly, his evil intentions were present from a young age."
I wanted to know more about Mao and China. Not Joyce Chen's feelings on Mao and China. 'Wild Swans' was great for that.. sure, you had her opinions, but at least they were supported by, and a part of, her family's story.
I felt like Chen was standing over me, beating my head with a 2x4 in between paragraphs. That went on for several hundred pages...
This book is sold as a biography, not an editorial. Yet Chen takes minute (and unverifiable?) details from Mao's life and goes on wild acid trips with them: "As a four-year old, Mao ate vegetables. Clearly, his evil intentions were present from a young age."
I wanted to know more about Mao and China. Not Joyce Chen's feelings on Mao and China. 'Wild Swans' was great for that.. sure, you had her opinions, but at least they were supported by, and a part of, her family's story.
I felt like Chen was standing over me, beating my head with a 2x4 in between paragraphs. That went on for several hundred pages...
captainhotbun's review
3.0
All in all a interesting read. The authors bias was very evident and while I think that is justified in some ways it makes it harder to determine how legit some of the content actually is. I think that it is important to be aware of that bias when you to into the read.
christian_delve's review against another edition
5.0
444 people were interviewed for this book, 444 people from 38 different countries. The most detailed account of a history I've ever read, truly mesmerising.
Mao doesn't deserve the paper it is written on. A devestating history of a despicable man inflicting inconceivable pain.
Mao doesn't deserve the paper it is written on. A devestating history of a despicable man inflicting inconceivable pain.
itsluisgomez's review
4.0
What to think of this book?
It's the portrait of one of the world's most fascinating & notorious dictators, unfailingly critical in tone and temper, awe inspiring in its specificity.
It's simultaneously too long and just the right amount of length. I'm admittedly a distracted reader, but even at my most focused, this book is a daunting collection of facts and dates and people and events and letters and poems and edicts and intrigue. There's a reason it took me five months to get past the Long March.
I would still recommend this wholeheartedly. Just, y'know, block out your calendar.
It's the portrait of one of the world's most fascinating & notorious dictators, unfailingly critical in tone and temper, awe inspiring in its specificity.
It's simultaneously too long and just the right amount of length. I'm admittedly a distracted reader, but even at my most focused, this book is a daunting collection of facts and dates and people and events and letters and poems and edicts and intrigue. There's a reason it took me five months to get past the Long March.
I would still recommend this wholeheartedly. Just, y'know, block out your calendar.