Mao's Last Revolution

The Cultural Revolution was a watershed event in the history of the People's Republic of China, the defining decade of half a century of communist rule. Before 1966, China was a typical communist state, with a command economy and a powerful party able to keep the population under control. But during the Cultural Revolution, in a move unprecedented in any communist country, Mao unleashed the Red Guards against the party. Tens of thousands of officials were humiliated, tortured, and even killed. Order had to be restored by the military, whose methods were often equally brutal. In a masterly book, Roderick MacFarquhar and Michael Schoenhals explain why Mao launched the Cultural Revolution, and show his Machiavellian role in masterminding it (which Chinese publications conceal). In often horrifying detail, they document the Hobbesian state that ensued. The movement veered out of control and terror paralyzed the country. Power struggles raged among Lin Biao, Zhou Enlai, Deng Xiaoping, and Jiang Qing--Mao's wife and leader of the Gang of Four--while Mao often played one against the other. After Mao's death, in reaction to the killing and the chaos, Deng Xiaoping led China into a reform era in which capitalism flourishes and the party has lost its former authority. In its invaluable critical analysis of Chairman Mao and its brilliant portrait of a culture in turmoil, Mao's Last Revolution offers the most authoritative and compelling account to date of this seminal event in the history of China The Cultural Revolution Was A Watershed Event In The History Of The People's Republic Of China, The Defining Decade Of Half A Century Of Communist Rule. Before 1966, China Was A Typical Communist State, With A Command Economy And A Powerful Party Able To Keep The Population Under Control. But During The Cultural Revolution, In A Move Unprecedented In Any Communist Country, Mao Unleashed The Red Guards Against The Party. Tens Of Thousands Of Officials Were Humiliated, Tortured, And Even Killed. Order Had To Be Restored By The Military, Whose Methods Were Often Equally Brutal. Roderick Macfarquhar And Michael Schoenhals Explain Why Mao Launched The Cultural Revolution, And Show His Machiavellian Role In Masterminding It (which Chinese Publications Conceal). In Often Horrifying Detail, They Document The Hobbesian State That Ensued. The Movement Veered Out Of Control And Terror Paralyzed The Country. Power Struggles Raged Among Lin Biao, Zhou Enlai, Deng Xiaoping, And Jiang Qing - Mao's Wife And Leader Of The Gang Of Four - While Mao Often Played One Against The Other. After Mao's Death, In Reaction To The Killing And The Chaos, Deng Xiaoping Led China Into A Reform Era In Which Capitalism Flourishes And The Party Has Lost Its Former Authority. In Its Critical Analysis Of Chairman Mao And Its Portrait Of A Culture In Turmoil, Mao's Last Revolution Offers The Most Authoritative And Compelling Account To Date Of This Seminal Event In The History Of China.--jacket. The First Salvos -- The Siege Of Beijing -- Confusion On Campuses -- The Fifty Days -- Mao's New Successor -- The Red Guards -- Red Terror -- Confusion Nationwide -- Shanghai's January Storm -- Seizing Power -- The Last Standof The Old Guard -- The Wuhan Incident -- The May 16 Conspiracy -- The End Of The Red Guards -- Cleanings The Class Ranks -- Dispatching Lie Shaoqi -- The Congress Of Victors -- War Scares -- The Defection And Death Of Lin Biao -- Mao Becalmed -- Zhou Under Pressure -- Deng Xiaoping Takes Over -- The Gang Of Four Emerges -- The Tiananmen Incident Of 1976 -- The Last Day Of Chairman Mao. Roderick Macfarquhar And Michael Schoenhals. Includes Bibliographical References (p. [611]-658) And Index.

The Cultural Revolution was a watershed event in the history of the People’s Republic of China, the defining decade of half a century of communist rule. Before 1966, China was a typical communist state, with a command economy and a powerful party able to keep the population under control. But during the Cultural Revolution, in a move unprecedented in any communist country, Mao unleashed the Red Guards against the party. Tens of thousands of officials were humiliated, tortured, and even killed. Order had to be restored by the military, whose methods were often equally brutal.

In a masterly book, Roderick MacFarquhar and Michael Schoenhals explain why Mao launched the Cultural Revolution, and show his Machiavellian role in masterminding it (which Chinese publications conceal). In often horrifying detail, they document the Hobbesian state that ensued. The movement veered out of control and terror paralyzed the country. Power struggles raged among Lin Biao, Zhou Enlai, Deng Xiaoping, and Jiang Qing—Mao’s wife and leader of the Gang of Four—while Mao often played one against the other.

After Mao’s death, in reaction to the killing and the chaos, Deng Xiaoping led China into a reform era in which capitalism flourishes and the party has lost its former authority. In its invaluable critical analysis of Chairman Mao and its brilliant portrait of a culture in turmoil, Mao’s Last Revolution offers the most authoritative and compelling account to date of this seminal event in the history of China.

The Washington Post - Orville Schell

It has been enthralling to read Roderick MacFarquhar and Michael Schoenhals's exhaustively researched new book on China's Cultural Revolution -- a sensation akin to returning to a Chinese painting in which a mist-shrouded landscape has miraculously cleared to reveal what was obscured beyond.

"The Cultural Revolution was a watershed event in the history of the People's Republic of China, the defining decade of half a century of communist rule. Before 1966, China was a typical communist state, with a command economy and a powerful party able to keep the population under control. But during the Cultural Revolution, in a move unprecedented in any communist country, Mao unleashed the Red Guards against the party. Tens of thousands of officials were humiliated, tortured, and even killed. Order had to be restored by the military, whose methods were often equally brutal." "Roderick MacFarquhar and Michael Schoenhals explain why Mao launched the Cultural Revolution, and show his Machiavellian role in masterminding it (which Chinese publications conceal). In often horrifying detail, they document the Hobbesian state that ensued. The movement veered out of control and terror paralyzed the country. Power struggles raged among Lin Biao, Zhou Enlai, Deng Xiaoping, and Jiang Qing - Mao's wife and leader of the Gang of Four - while Mao often played one against the other." "After Mao's death, in reaction to the killing and the chaos, Deng Xiaoping led China into a reform era in which capitalism flourishes and the party has lost its former authority. In its critical analysis of Chairman Mao and its portrait of a culture in turmoil, Mao's Last Revolution offers the most authoritative and compelling account to date of this seminal event in the history of China."--BOOK JACKET. Chairman Mao's role in masterminding China's Cultural Revolution and why he did it is explained in a detailed portrait that offers the most authoritative account to date of the events, personalities, and repercussions of the period.