Mao: The Unknown Story

The most authoritative life of the Chinese leader every written, Mao: The Unknown Story is based on a decade of research, and on interviews with many of Mao's close circle in China who have never talked before -- and with virtually everyone outside China who had significant dealings with him. It is full of startling revelations, exploding the myth of the Long March, and showing a completely unknown Mao: he was not driven by idealism or ideology; his intimate and intricate relationship with Stalin went back to the 1920s, ultimately bringing him to power; he welcomed Japanese occupation of much of China; and he schemed, poisoned, and blackmailed to get his way. After Mao conquered China in 1949, his secret goal was to dominate the world. In chasing this dream he caused the deaths of 38 million people in the greatest famine in history. In all, well over 70 million Chinese perished under Mao's rule -- in peacetime.

Binding Type: Paperback
Publisher: Anchor Books
Published: 11/14/2006
ISBN: 9780679746324
Pages: 801
Weight: 2.57lbs
Size: 9.25h x 6.28w x 1.73d

Review Citations: New York Times 11/26/2006 pg. 24
Kliatt 03/01/2007 pg. 33