Mao The Unknown Story [Paperback]

The most authoritative life of the Chinese leader every written,Mao: The Unknown Storyis 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.

List of Maps
Abbreviations and a Note About Spelling in the Text

PART ONE—Lukewarm Believer
1. On the Cusp from Ancient to Modern(1893–1911; age 1–17)
2. Becoming a Communist(1911–20; age 17–26)
3. Lukewarm Believer(1920–25; age 26–31)
4. Rise and Demise in the Nationalist Party (1925–27; age 31–33)

PART TWO—Long March to Supremacy in the Party
5. Hijacking a Red Force and Taking Over Bandit Land(1927–28; age 33–34)
6. Subjugating the Red Army Supremo(1928–30; age 34–36)
7. Takeover Leads to Death of Second Wife(1927–30; age 33–36)
8. Bloody Purge Paves the Way for “Chairman Mao”(1929–31; age 35–37)
9. Mao and the First Red State(1931–34; age 37–40)
10. Troublemaker to Figurehead(1931–34; age 37–40)
11. How Mao Got ontolC¾