The New Emperors: Mao & Deng; a Dual Biography

Harrison E. Salisbury

This is a stunningly detailed dual biography of Mao and Deng.

The late Salisbury is a reporter who wrote many books on Russia and China. In this book, he included comments and insights from many interviews with key Chinese officials who have personal dealings with both men. This makes this book unique and different from other biographies that relied mainly on written records. Such records don’t exist in China due to the civil war as the Communists would not leave a paper trail behind.

The endnotes are substantial and revealing. Here are 2 examples. Mao was first exposed to communism when he worked as an assistant to the librarian of Peking University. This man was executed in 1927 in Beijing by the Manchurian warlord Zhang Zuolin. (p 480 footnote no 22). Mao tried to learn English unsuccessfully till the end of his life. (p 487 footnote no 10)
I find this book a gem. As a result, I have ordered 3 more books by Salisbury on China!

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