Mao

Mao: The Unknown Story is a biography of Mao Zedong, the founding father of the People's Republic of China, written by Jung Chang and Jon Halliday. It was first published in 2005 and quickly became a bestseller. The book is a controversial take on Mao, portraying him as a ruthless dictator responsible for the deaths of millions of people.

Key Points of the Book

• Challenges the traditional view of Mao: Mao was traditionally seen as a visionary leader who helped China throw off the yoke of imperialism and poverty. Chang and Halliday argue that Mao was a power-hungry tyrant who was willing to sacrifice millions of lives to achieve his goals.
• Details Mao's early life and rise to power: The book explores Mao's upbringing in rural China and his early involvement in the Chinese Communist Party. It also details his role in the Long March and the Chinese Civil War.
• Focuses on Mao's role in famines and the Cultural Revolution: The book argues that Mao's policies, such as the Great Leap Forward, were responsible for the deaths of tens of millions of people. It also details the horrors of the Cultural Revolution, a period of political upheaval that Mao unleashed in the 1960s.
• Extensive research: Chang and Halliday spent ten years researching the book, and they interviewed hundreds of people, including many of Mao's former comrades. They also gained access to a trove of previously classified documents.

Criticism of the Book

• One-sided view: Some critics have argued that the book is too one-sided and that it does not give enough weight to Mao's achievements. They point to the fact that Mao did unite China and lift it out of poverty.
• Accuracy of sources: Other critics have questioned the accuracy of some of the book's sources. They argue that Chang and Halliday have relied too heavily on the testimony of people who have a grudge against Mao.

Overall, Mao: The Unknown Story is a controversial but important book. It provides a critical look at Mao Zedong and his legacy.