A review by lpassanisi
Mao: The Unknown Story by Jung Chang, Jon Halliday

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...