comment on "Mao: The Unknown Story."

octogenarian

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Feb 6, 2006, 12:53:13 PM2/6/06

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by Jung Chang and historian Jon Halliday.

Anyone read the book and care to comment? Is it banned in China
(mainland?)

humantenacity

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Feb 6, 2006, 5:03:41 PM2/6/06

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I have read Jung Chang's latest book as well as her earlier book "Wild
Swans". I give her and her husband high marks for their research in the
book. I find some errors with several suppositions but overall it is a
smooth read and a very good historical novel. It is no wonder the book
is banned in Mainland China. The Central Government is no where near
ready to admit any of the issues raised in the book. I think another
generation will have to pass before some of the real horror of Mao are
mad public in China. But then many are still alive in China who lived
through those times.

Jim Walsh

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Feb 6, 2006, 9:44:24 PM2/6/06

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On Tue, 7 Feb 2006 01:53:13 +0800, octogenarian wrote
(in article <1139248393.1...@g47g2000cwa.googlegroups.com>):

> by Jung Chang and historian Jon Halliday.
>
> Anyone read the book and care to comment? Is it banned in China
> (mainland?)
>

an excellent book. Yes. It is banned in the PRC.

--
Love, Jim

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octogenarian

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Feb 6, 2006, 11:16:51 PM2/6/06

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Strange that PRC allowed the authors to visit China to interview
sources but bans the book. Surely the authorities knew the husband and
wife team won't be kind to Mao based on earlier work "Wild Swan."

According to the book, the struggles of the peasants and soldiers under
Chiang and Mao were hell. I broke out in sweat and heart pumping while
reading their trials and tribulations for over 3 decades. What a
nightmare

humantenacity

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Feb 7, 2006, 8:55:51 AM2/7/06

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Yes Jim thanks for including Jon Halliday. I reread my post and
realized I only listed him as Jung Chang's husband, Thanks for the
clarification!

humantenacity

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Feb 7, 2006, 8:58:46 AM2/7/06

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I don't think the PRC bans too many people from entering and leaving
anymore even those they consider disodents. However, most of the
critical information was obtained through former Soviet sources and
declassified Soviet Stalinist papers. I think that when finally the PRC
CC finally declassifies the Maoist papers the world is going to be even
more horrified than Jung Chang's book could possibly describe. Hence,
why the CC is keeping the book out of the country and a firm lid on the
facts I think.

Jim Walsh

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Feb 8, 2006, 3:16:49 AM2/8/06

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On Tue, 7 Feb 2006 21:58:46 +0800, humantenacity wrote
(in article <1139320726.5...@z14g2000cwz.googlegroups.com>):

> I don't think the PRC bans too many people from entering and leaving
> anymore even those they consider disodents.

Well, sort of. A lot more ordinary Chinese have the freedom to leave and
return, but well-known democratic activists can not.