Mao: The Man Who Made China

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Philip Short's biography of Mao Zedong, updated and revised after four decades, presents a comprehensive view of the man behind the propaganda, revealing both his human and monstrous aspects.

Format: Paperback
Length: 864 pages
Publication date: 09 February 2023
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing (UK)

One of the most influential figures of the 20th century, Chairman Mao has left an indelible mark on China's economic growth. Mao Zedong, a communist revolutionary, led a movement that lifted hundreds of millions out of poverty, but he was also an aggressive and distrustful leader responsible for countless civilian deaths. Over four decades since Mao's passing, acclaimed biographer Philip Short has released a fully revised and updated edition of his groundbreaking biography. In this one-volume masterpiece, Short delves into the man behind the propaganda, revealing his family, beliefs, and the horrors he inflicted. Through his vivid, uncompromising, and unflinching narrative, Short paints a comprehensive portrait of Mao, showcasing both his human qualities and the monstrous transformation he underwent.

Born in 1893 in Shaanxi province, Mao Zedong was the youngest son of a poor peasant family. Despite his humble beginnings, he displayed a keen intellect and a thirst for knowledge. He attended school for a brief period before being forced to drop out to work to support his family. However, Mao's political activism began to take shape during his early adulthood. He joined the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) in 1912 and quickly rose through the ranks, becoming a key figure in the party's revolutionary efforts.

Mao's leadership style was characterized by his aggressive and uncompromising approach. He believed in the power of the masses and sought to empower them through socialist revolution. He was also known for his cult of personality, which saw him as a living god and his followers as his loyal servants. This cult of personality led to widespread corruption and abuse of power, as Mao's followers were willing to do anything to please their leader.

Mao's revolution was marked by a series of violent and bloody campaigns, including the Great Leap Forward and the Cultural Revolution. These campaigns resulted in the deaths of millions of Chinese citizens, including many innocent farmers and workers. Mao's policies also led to widespread economic instability, as he implemented a series of radical economic reforms that resulted in widespread poverty and hunger.

Despite the devastating consequences of his policies, Mao remained a revered figure in China. His image was immortalized in propaganda posters and statues, and his words were quoted as gospel by his followers. However, the truth about Mao's legacy began to emerge in the late 1970s and 1980s, as the Chinese government began to open up to the world and allow for greater freedom of expression.

In his biography, Short presents a comprehensive and balanced account of Mao's life and legacy. He delves into Mao's family background, his political career, and his policies, including his brutal campaigns and his radical economic reforms. Short also explores Mao's personal life, including his relationships with his wives and his children, and his struggles with mental health.

One of the most striking aspects of Short's biography is his portrayal of Mao as both a human being and a monster. He shows how Mao's upbringing and political experiences shaped him into the man he became, but he also acknowledges the horrific consequences of his policies. Short does not shy away from the truth, and he presents Mao's legacy in all its complexity and brutality.

In conclusion, Chairman Mao looms irrepressibly over the economic rise of China, and his legacy is a complex and controversial one. Mao Zedong was a revolutionary communist who lifted hundreds of millions out of poverty, but he was also an aggressive and distrustful leader responsible for countless civilian deaths. Through his groundbreaking biography, Philip Short presents a fully updated and revised edition of his work, delving into the man behind the propaganda and revealing the human being and the monster that Mao became. This book is a must-read for anyone interested in understanding the 20th century's most influential figure and the devastating consequences of his policies.

Dimension: 216 x 138 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781350376724