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Mao Zedong and China in the Twentieth-Century World
- A Concise History: Asia-Pacific: Culture, Politics, and Society
- Narrated by: Bobby Brill
- Length: 7 hrs and 56 mins
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Mao Zedong and China in the Twentieth-Century World
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Summary
Throughout this lively and concise historical account of Mao Zedong's life and thought, Rebecca E. Karl places the revolutionary leader's personal experiences, social visions and theory, military strategies, and developmental and foreign policies in a dynamic narrative of the Chinese revolution. She situates Mao and the revolution in a global setting informed by imperialism, decolonization, and third worldism, and discusses worldwide trends in politics, the economy, military power, and territorial sovereignty. Karl begins with Mao's early life in a small village in Hunan province, documenting his relationships with his parents, passion for education, and political awakening during the fall of the Qing dynasty in late 1911.
She traces his transition from liberal to Communist over the course of the next decade, his early critiques of the subjugation of women, and the gathering force of the May 4th movement for reform and radical change. Describing Mao's rise to power, she delves into the dynamics of Communist organizing in an overwhelmingly agrarian society, and Mao's confrontations with Chiang Kai-shek and other nationalist conservatives. She also considers his marriages and romantic liaisons and their relation to Mao as the revolutionary founder of Communism in China.
The book is published by Duke University Press.
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What listeners say about Mao Zedong and China in the Twentieth-Century World
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Adrian J. Smith
- 28-07-21
Academic and Readable
Having read several studies of modern China and Mao Zedong, this particular biographical and historical work, in contrast to others, has much to recommend it.
The most notable is that it is both academic and highly readable, a rare combination. Unlike the highly sensationalist Mao: The Unknown Story by Jung Chang, this refrains from hyperbole, character judgements or assassinations, and instead focusing on the facts and the moods of the times. Secondly, the book is comparatively shorter than others, but contains just as much insight. One is not left wanting for insight, and nor is one overwhelmed with an excess of details and information.
The book covers both Mao himself and the world Mao acted in and shaped. As such, the book covers the Republican years, WWII, the Civil War and Mao in power, particularly the Great Leap Forward, Cultural Revolution, along with a chapter covering China after Mao.
Of particular note is the Yan'an period, as Rebecca Karl gives more insight into this than most other authors.
The book provides a great overview of Mao's life, legacy, and the various factors shaping Modern China, however, this book is recommendable to both those wanting to familiarize themselves with China and even experienced China hands as it is both highly readable and the perfect length, without lacking for material nor insight.
The narration is very clear and unpretentious, and the whole book is a joy to listen to.
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