Victorious in Defeat : The Life and Times of Chiang Kai-shek, China, 1887-1975

An extensively researched, comprehensive biography of Chinese Nationalist leader Chiang Kai-shek, one of the twentieth century's most powerful and controversial figures Chiang Kai-shek (1887-1975) led the Republic of China for almost fifty years, starting in 1926. He was the architect of a new, republican China, a hero of the Second World War, and a faithful ally of the United States. Simultaneously a Christian and a Confucian, Chiang dreamed of universal equality yet was a perfidious and cunning dictator responsible for the deaths of over 1.5 million innocent people. This critical biography is based on Chiang Kai-shek's unpublished diaries, his extensive personal files from the Russian archives, and the Russian files of his relatives, associates, and foes. Alexander V. Pantsov sheds new light on the role played by the Russians in Chiang's rise to power in the 1920s and throughout his political career--and indeed the Russian influence on the Chinese revolutionary movement as a whole--as well as on Chiang's complex relationship with top officials of the United States. It is a detailed portrait of a man who ranks with Stalin, Roosevelt, Hitler, Churchill, and Gandhi as leaders who shaped our world Cover Half Title Title Page Copyright Page Dedication Contents Spelling and Pronunciation of Chinese Words Map of the Republic of China (1912–1949) Introduction Part One: “FIRM AS A ROCK” 1 Descendant of Zhou Gong 2 In the Shadow of the Rising Sun 3 All-under-Heaven Is for Everyone 4 Sun Yat-sen’s Obstinate Pupil Part Two: THE ANTI-IMPERIALIST REVOLUTION 5 Canton–Shanghai–Moscow–Canton 6 Commandant of the Whampoa Academy 7 The Struggle over Sun Yat-sen’s Legacy 8 The Northern Expedition and the Split in the Guomindang Part Three: BETWEEN SCYLLA AND CHARYBDIS 9 Completion of the Northern Expedition 10 Triumphs and Defeats 11 “For a New Life!” 12 Playing with Stalin Part Four: PRO ET CONTRA 13 Captivity in Xi’an 14 A Moment of Self-Sacrifice 15 Blood and Ashes 16 The Protracted War Part Five: CHINA’S DESTINY 17 Ave Maria 18 Playing with Roosevelt 19 The Bitter Taste of Victory 20 New Trials Part Six: “VICTORY WILL COME WITH DETERMINATION” 21 Catastrophe 22 Taiwan’s Prisoner 23 Under Washington’s Wing 24 Sorrow and Hope Epilogue Acknowledgments Appendix 1: Chronology of the Life of Chiang Kai-shek Appendix 2: Chiang Kai-shek’s Genealogy Notes Bibliography Index A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z Illustrations follow page