Mao, the Unknown Story

Resumen del libro

Jung Chang's Wild Swans was an extraordinary bestseller throughout the world, selling more than 10 million copies and reaching a wider readership than any other book about China. Now she and her husband Jon Halliday have written a groundbreaking biography of Mao Tse-tung.

Based on a decade of research, and on interviews with many of Mao's close circle in China who have never talked before - and with virtually everyone outside China who had significant dealings with him - this is the most authoritative life of Mao ever written. It is full of startling revelations, exploding the myth of the Long March, and showing a completely unknown Mao: he was not driven by idealism or ideology; his intimate and intricate relationship with Stalin went back to the 1920s, ultimately bringing him to power; he welcomed Japanese occupation of much of China; and he schemed, poisoned and blackmailed to get his way. After Mao conquered China in 1949, his secret goal was to dominate the world. In chasing this dream he caused the deaths of 38 million people in the greatest famine in history.

Combining meticulous history with the story-telling style of Wild Swans, this biography makes immediate Mao's roller-coaster life, as he intrigued and fought every step of the way to force through his unpopular decisions. The reader enters the shadowy chambers of Mao's court, and eavesdrops on the drama in its hidden recesses. Mao's character and the enormity of his behaviour towards his wives, mistresses and children are unveiled for the first time.

This is an entirely fresh look at Mao in both content and approach. It will astonish historians and the general reader alike.

Biografía del autor

Jung Chang nació en la ciudad china de Yibin, provincia de Sichuan, en 1952. A los catorce años se hizo miembro de la Guardia Roja y después trabajó como campesina, x{0026} 34;médica descalzax{0026} 34;, trabajadora del metal y electricista antes de estudiar inglés y, más tarde, convertirse en profesora de la Universidad de Sichuan. En 1978 dejó China para trasladarse al Reino Unido y, poco después, recibió una beca de la Universidad de York, donde obtuvo el doctorado en Lingüística en 1982 (fue la primera ciudadana de la República Popular China en recibir un doctorado de una universidad británica). En 1991 publicó su aclamado libro Cisnes salvajes y posteriormente publicó Mao (Taurus, 2006).