📖 Overview
Zhao Ziyang (1919-2005) served as Premier of China from 1980 to 1987 and as General Secretary of the Chinese Communist Party from 1987 to 1989, making him one of China's most prominent reform-era leaders.
As a key architect of China's economic reforms in the 1980s, Zhao championed policies that moved the country toward market economics while maintaining social stability. His reforms included the household responsibility system in agriculture, greater autonomy for state enterprises, and the establishment of Special Economic Zones.
Zhao's career ended dramatically during the 1989 Tiananmen Square protests when he opposed the use of military force against demonstrators. He spent the remaining 15 years of his life under house arrest, during which he secretly recorded his memoirs on audio tapes that were later published as "Prisoner of the State: The Secret Journal of Premier Zhao Ziyang."
His posthumously published memoirs provide an insider's account of top-level Chinese politics and document his vision for China's political and economic reform. The book has become an important historical record of a critical period in modern Chinese history.
👀 Reviews
Readers respect Zhao Ziyang's memoir "Prisoner of the State" for its firsthand account of China's political reforms and the events leading to the 1989 Tiananmen protests. Many reviews note the book's straightforward writing style and behind-the-scenes details of Communist Party leadership.
Positives from readers:
- Detailed explanations of economic reforms
- Personal insights into top CCP decision-making
- Clear chronology of key historical events
Common criticisms:
- Focus on policy/economics can be dry
- Translation feels stiff in places
- Limited coverage of personal life and relationships
Ratings:
Goodreads: 4.2/5 (1,200+ ratings)
Amazon: 4.5/5 (180+ ratings)
"Offers unique perspective as the highest-ranking Chinese official to oppose the Tiananmen crackdown" - Goodreads reviewer
"Important historical document but dense reading at times" - Amazon reviewer
The book resonates most with readers interested in Chinese politics and reform era history.
📚 Books by Zhao Ziyang
Prisoner of the State: The Secret Journal of Premier Zhao Ziyang - Secretly recorded while under house arrest, these memoirs detail high-level Chinese Communist Party politics, the Tiananmen Square protests, and Zhao's vision for China's reform during his time as Premier and Party General Secretary.
👥 Similar authors
Deng Xiaoping
His writings and speeches detail China's economic reforms and modernization efforts from the late 1970s through early 1990s. His works provide direct insight into the political thinking that shaped China's transformation during the reform era.
Bao Tong As Zhao's former political secretary, his writings offer firsthand accounts of China's reform period and the events leading to 1989. His works include detailed analysis of Chinese political reform and documentation of high-level decision making during Zhao's tenure.
Wu Wei His books chronicle China's political reform efforts during the 1980s based on his experience as a senior policy researcher. His writing provides detailed accounts of internal party debates and policy formation during the reform era.
Yang Jisheng His works investigate major historical events in contemporary Chinese history through extensive research and interviews. His documentation methods and focus on political history parallel Zhao's approach to recording historical events.
Hu Yaobang His collected writings and speeches document China's reform policies and political liberalization of the 1980s. His work as Party General Secretary until 1987 provides context for understanding the reform period Zhao describes.
Bao Tong As Zhao's former political secretary, his writings offer firsthand accounts of China's reform period and the events leading to 1989. His works include detailed analysis of Chinese political reform and documentation of high-level decision making during Zhao's tenure.
Wu Wei His books chronicle China's political reform efforts during the 1980s based on his experience as a senior policy researcher. His writing provides detailed accounts of internal party debates and policy formation during the reform era.
Yang Jisheng His works investigate major historical events in contemporary Chinese history through extensive research and interviews. His documentation methods and focus on political history parallel Zhao's approach to recording historical events.
Hu Yaobang His collected writings and speeches document China's reform policies and political liberalization of the 1980s. His work as Party General Secretary until 1987 provides context for understanding the reform period Zhao describes.