An Unofficial 'The Rest Is History' Reading List

173. Chairman Mao & the Cultural Revolution

April 07, 2022

Description

China's Cultural Revolution under Chairman Mao was one of the most staggeringly brutal events in recent human history. Tom and Dominic are joined by historian Rana Mitter, who specialises in the...
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Books Referenced

The Cultural Revolution

Author: Frank Dikötter

Context:

Tom quotes from this book describing it as 'a brilliant guide' to the Cultural Revolution, citing statistics about deaths and persecution during the period

Scarlet Memorial

Author: Zheng Yi

Context:

Rana Mitter references this book as a source for evidence about cannibalism during the Cultural Revolution in Guangxi province, noting the author used a pseudonym

Outlaws of the Marsh

Author: Shi Nai'an

Context:

Mentioned by Rana Mitter as one of the classic Chinese novels that influenced Mao, described as 'classic Chinese novels of Daring Do'

A Bitter Revolution: China's Struggle with the Modern World

Author: Rana Mitter

Context:

Mentioned when introducing the guest Rana Mitter as the author of this work about modern Chinese history

Maoism: A Global History

Author: Julia Lovell

Context:

Rana Mitter recommends Julia Lovell's 'recent book on Maoism' which makes points about Mao's thought not being definable in the way Marx's writings are - likely referring to 'Maoism: A Global History'

Mao's Last Revolution

Author: Roderick McFarquhar and Michael Schoenhaus

Context:

Rana Mitter describes this as 'one of the great books on this subject' based on documentary evidence, which argues the Cultural Revolution is a unique phenomenon