Mao Zedong: A Life Jonathan D Spence

## Mao Zedong: The Life of a Revolutionary

Jonathan Spence's biography of Mao Zedong is a masterful account of the life of one of the most important figures of the 20th century. Spence draws on a wealth of new sources to provide a fresh and nuanced portrait of Mao, from his early years as a peasant revolutionary to his rise to power as the leader of the People's Republic of China. Spence's book is a must-read for anyone interested in Chinese history or the history of communism.

Mao Zedong: A Life

by Jonathan D. Spence

4.3 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	572 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	220 pages

FREE

### Mao's Early Life

Mao Zedong was born in 1893 to a peasant family in the village of Shaoshan, in Hunan Province, China. His father was a successful farmer, and Mao had a comfortable childhood. However, Mao's father was also a strict disciplinarian, and Mao often clashed with him. In 1911, Mao left home to attend the Hunan Normal School in Changsha. It was there that he first became involved in politics.

### Mao's Role in the Chinese Revolution

In 1919, Mao joined the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). He quickly rose through the ranks of the party, and in 1935, he became the party's leader. Under Mao's leadership, the CCP led the Chinese people to victory in the Chinese Civil War. In 1949, Mao founded the People's Republic of China, and he served as its first chairman until his death in 1976.

### Mao's Legacy

Mao Zedong was a complex and controversial figure. He was a brilliant strategist and a charismatic leader, but he was also ruthless and authoritarian. His policies led to the deaths of millions of Chinese people, but he also oversaw China's transformation into a major world power.

### Jonathan Spence's Biography

Jonathan Spence's biography of Mao Zedong is a major contribution to our understanding of this important figure. Spence draws on a wealth of new sources to provide a fresh and nuanced portrait of Mao. He explores Mao's early life, his role in the Chinese Revolution, and his legacy. Spence's book is a must-read for anyone interested in Chinese history or the history of communism.

## Further Reading

• Spence, Jonathan. Mao Zedong: A Biography. New York: Viking, 1999.
• Schram, Stuart. Mao Zedong: A Biography. New York: Simon & Schuster, 1989.
• Snow, Edgar. Red Star Over China. New York: Grove Press, 1961.

## External Links

• The Mao Zedong Homepage: http://www.maozedong.org/
• The Chinese Communist Party: http://www.cpc.org.cn/
• The People's Republic of China: http://www.china.org.cn/

Mao Zedong: A Life

by Jonathan D. Spence

4.3 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	572 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	220 pages

FREE