The Unknown Story of M*A*O, by Jung Change and John Halliday

[wordsgood]

The Unknown Story of M*A*O* (Zedong), but Jung Chang and John Halliday

 

Available in paperback.

 

PLEASE NOTE: This post is MY PERSONAL opinion and review of both this book and the subject matter. It is NOT intended to offend anyone, but these are my feelings on this subject. You may or may not agree, which is fine, but please DO NOT reply to me with any kind of attacks. State your views yes, attacks no. Thank you.

 

 

Warning: Parts of this book are very graphic and the things described in it are beyond disturbing - in every sense of the word - in a physical, mental and emotional sense. I was outraged, sick to my stomach at times, and often in tears at the sheer suffering and injustice that went on during his rule.

 

This is a true account, based on a decade of research and hundreds of interviews, of how Mao Zedong rose to the very top of China's new communist party, took it over and by his death many decades later, was responsible for the death of well over 70 million of his own people - IN PEACETIME.

 

In my opinion, it is probably one of the most thoroughly researched historical biographies ever written. The material in this book is nothing like what you read about in school, may have studied later in college, or hear about in the media. This book shows - in raw, gritty detail - the depths of depravity mankind can sink to under the guise of "changes for the public good." This man, and his party, destroyed generations of Chinese culture, education and accomplishments. Even today, there are marks of their actions everywhere, not just on the land itself, but on the people.

 

There is so much I could say about this book, but I don

[Roland Butter]

Interesting review - could be a book I'd like to read.

 

Just as a matter of interest - it's implicit when you write a review that you're expressing your views about it. Why did you think anyone would attack you for it?

[Kate]

This sounds really good. I studied him a bit at uni so have an idea of what he was like. I'll keep my eyes open for this book

[shelbel]

Such an interesting review Wordsgood! I read Wild Swans by Jung Chang last year and had a similar reaction.

[Colin Jacobs]

An excellent review I thought that your comments were justified and honest. thank you for sharing it with us

[wordsgood]

Oh, that was because like my review for Infidel, by Ayaan Hirsh-Ali, is so controversial to orthodox and radical Islamists - so too are stories of Mao Zedong that don't fit with the "party line" of the Ruling Chinese Communist Government.

 

Many Chinese remained brain-washed after Mao's death and are still alive. As well, two generations have grown-up since his death and third one is now in school. And the is "Party" still shoving these lies down the throats of their youth. Sadly much of the new generations also believe and are/have been just as successfully brainwashed about this evil excuse for human being, to believe that he did not in fact cause the torture, imprisonment and death to over 70 million of his people. But was in fact, the greatest leader they ever had!

 

The Chinese Communist Party Government now, for all their financial power they've brought back, for all their improvements to their education, infrastructure and other public systems, still continue to deny many people even the most basic of human rights. Millions still live unimaginable poverty. And as before, it is always the "peasants" who are paying the highest price.

 

But it's not all sunshine and roses over there, so I thought there might be some members here who would feel the need to "educate" me as to their "truth!" Hence my disclaimer!

 

Just as a matter of interest - it's implicit when you write a review that you're expressing your views about it. Why did you think anyone would attack you for it?