Mao - by Kerry Brown (Hardcover)

Book Synopsis

Chairman Mao's extraordinary life and complex legacy laid bare.

Mao Zedong lived one of the most epic and influential lives of the twentieth century. His impact on the People's Republic of China was vast. Half a century after his passing, he remains a divisive and controversial figure. This book gives an accessible narrative of his life, from the fall of the Qing in the early part of the twentieth century to the long years in which Mao Zedong struggled not only to ensure the Communist Party of China survived, but that it then came to power after a civil war with the nationalists. Mao's tragic failures as ruler were some of the worst to ever befall a modern society, while his personal life remains a source of intense interest. Clear-eyed and non-partisan, this is the first accessible biography of Mao to appear in English for some time.

Review Quotes

"Who was Mao Zedong, and what was his impact on China and beyond? These are the questions that Brown explores in this comprehensive look at Mao's life and legacy. . . . Brown skillfully depicts a complex figure who was both a symbol of unity for China and a cause of immense destruction in the lives of millions. Essential reading for anyone interested in twentieth-century Chinese history."

-- "Library Journal (starred review)"

"Were one leader's pathologies poisoning a nation, or coaxing to the surface its darkest inclinations? Brown is surely correct when he says that "it is hard to work out the psychology of a man who was almost constantly calculating and balancing different forces around him'."

-- "Telegraph"

"Brown provides worthy analysis of dictator Mao Zedong's dark legacy and his unrelenting hold over China."

-- "Irish Independent"

"Using a wide range of scholarly sources, Brown describes how Mao Zedong still influences China today. Fifty years after his death, some of the legends are fading but his ruthless rise to power and consistent nationalism continue to dominate. This clear and very readable account sets out his extraordinary life and personality and the persistence of his ideas."

--Frances Wood, former curator, British Library China Collections

"Brown provides a wonderfully insightful analysis of one of the most influential and complex figures of the twentieth century, Mao Zedong. Brown weaves together Mao's life with the unfolding drama of the Chinese communist movement. He highlights the influence of Chinese history and culture on Mao's evolution of Marxism--Marxist Daoism. The book serves as an excellent introduction to the man, the revolution that he led, and its global ramifications."--Tony Saich, Harvard Kennedy School, author of "From Rebel to Ruler: One Hundred Years of the Chinese Communist Party"

"This accessible and informative book demonstrates Brown's open-minded evaluation of Mao and his extensive knowledge of him."--Mobo Gao, Adelaide University

About the Author

Kerry Brown is professor of Chinese studies and director of the Lau China Institute at King's College London. He is the author of twenty-four books on modern China, including The Taiwan Story.