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Trade in Mao: A Very Short Introduction (Very Short Introductions) for an Amazon Gift Card of up to £0.50, which you can then spend on millions of items across the site. Trade-in values may vary (terms apply). Learn more
[A] tautly argued, plainly told, luminous story that does full justice to all sides of the argument (The China Journal)
About the Author
Delia Davin taught at Leeds University from 1988 until her retirement in 2004, where she is now emeritus professor of Chinese Studies. Her research interests were focussed on women and gender issues in China and she is the author of Womanwork, Women and the Party in Revolutionary China (OUP, 1976). She wrote some of the earliest studies of the single child policy in China and with other colleagues she translated and edited Chinese Lives, an oral history of contemporary China (Penguin, 1989). Her abiding interest in Mao Zedong and the history of Maoist China was inspired by her experience of living in Beijing.
This rather slim edition makes for good introduction to the subject that was Mao Zedong, and his impact on China. It can be seen that Mao's legacy is still resonating in China, and indeed the World today. Our author - Professor Ms Delia Davin lends her expertise on the subject, and takes the reader on a events orientated tour showing personal and political life of the man, in terms of his theoretical and ideological processes, but at times his less pragmatic and practical approach to matters such as the one `Hundred Flowers' campaign. The campaign had a positive out for Mao, as he did manage to discouraged opposition and made intelligentsias disinclined to disparage him and his party in the future. There is his continued attempt to solidify socialist ideals in future movements, and in the case of the Cultural Revolution, employed more violent means. Mao too produced a précis of his works and thoughts and it is best remembered as the `little red book.
Yes Mao is a complex character yes his policies led to uncountable deaths and suffering - but the picture here is not black and white, this is where I like the way the author teases out the facts on the ground to show this. Mao's personal life is no less colourfully rendered. In this short abstract, if you will, it is written well and many insights are gleaned through. This book then should galvanize the reader to follow up on, what they garnered so far. At the end of the day is this not what these series of short introductions are about?
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China is becoming increasingly important to us in the 21st century but understanding the China of today needs some background information about the country in the previous century. Mao was undoubtedly the most important and influential Chinese leader of the last hundred years or so - and probably the only one most people could name today; I doubt if many could even name China's current leader! Delia Davin presents quite a balanced view of a rather complex, and controversial, subject - one which she obviously knows very well.
Another excellent addition to Oxford's series of little books covering a wide range of subjects, this volume on Mao is up to standard and presents a good overview of the man and his times. Check out Amazon's Click to Look Inside feature to see the book's layout and the list of contents showing what is covered. If you want to know a bit more than you can find on Wikipedia - but don't want to read a full Mao biography or a history of China - then this slim volume fits the bill nicely.
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In this Very Short Introduction series book, academic Delia Davin takes a straightforward examination of Mao's life from the earliest stages for which we have records. Mao is revealed not only as a military leader and guerrilla, but also as an idealist from an early stage, an artist and a writer.
Mao's intelligence -- genius even -- is revealed more by the early events of his life than by the later. Clearly, in his later life everything he did was revered, but in these pages we recognise that behind that was genuine passion, skill and brilliance.
Having known only of Mao as a figure on the world stage, this book was an eye-opener for me, and I recommend it to anyone who wants to go beyond a short summary biography, but does not want to invest themselves for months in a major work.
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After being left reeling by Jung Chang and Jon Halliday's Mao;The Unknown Story,I thought I would get a second opinion,and this interesting little book gave me a good general overview of the terrible events portrayed so emotionally in the former book.I was quite surprised at how much information was condensed into 142 pages,as opposed to 971 in The Unknown Story,and I think this will be a useful reference source. I feel Delia Devin has done a very good job of cutting out all extraneous material while still producing a very readable book. It's not as breath-taking or unputdownable as the only other book I have ever read about Mao,but it never pretends to be;It's called A Very Short Introduction,and that's exactly what it is.
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Despite being one of the key figures in the last century, Mao is someone that I had never really read up on. This book charts his life from peasant revolutionary to patriotic leader, Marxist theoretician, modernizer, and dictatorial ruler. He founded the Chinese Communist Party and the Red Army, and unified China and laid the foundation to China's astronomical ascent which is now clearly evident. The author manages to beautifully capture and convey his complex nature; the formidable challenges that he had to overcome on the way to becoming the leader he was. She remains factual and succinct, and relates an insightful overview of Mao's life journey. Very well written, extremely readable, and very helpful.
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Can't go wrong with the Very Short Introduction To... series. Don't be fooled by the name: these are NOT dummies' guides or some such. They're pocket sized and tend to be written by experts in the field, with no dumbing down whatsoever. Brevity, rather than oversimplification, is their MO. (I recall basing a half-decent uni essay on Peter Singer's coverage of Marx's theory of history in his VSIT!) Anyway this one's by Delia Davin, Emeritus Professor of Chinese Studies at Leeds University and an authority on revolutionary and contemporary China. So she knows her apples. Recommended for those with an interest in the subject or who just wants a primer in the the history of Maoist China.
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