Sidney Rittenberg

Sidney Rittenberg (1921-2019) was an American journalist, scholar, and Chinese linguist who spent 35 years in China, including 16 years imprisoned as a suspected spy. He later became an influential consultant who helped major Western companies navigate business relationships with China. During his time in China, Rittenberg worked as an interpreter and translator for the Chinese Communist Party leadership, including Mao Zedong. He was the first American citizen to join the Chinese Communist Party, though he was later imprisoned twice during periods of political upheaval. After returning to the United States in 1980, Rittenberg wrote "The Man Who Stayed Behind" with Amanda Bennett, detailing his experiences in China. He established Rittenberg Associates, a consultancy that advised companies like Microsoft and Intel on conducting business in China. Rittenberg's unique perspective on Chinese politics and culture made him a valuable resource for understanding China's transformation throughout the 20th century. He frequently appeared as a commentator on China-related issues and lectured at universities until his death in 2019.

Readers praise Rittenberg's firsthand account in "The Man Who Stayed Behind" for its insider perspective on China's Communist revolution and its leaders. Many note his balanced portrayal of events despite his personal hardships, including 16 years of imprisonment. Readers appreciate: - Direct observations of Mao Zedong and other Communist Party leaders - Detailed descriptions of daily life in revolutionary China - Clear explanations of complex political movements - Personal reflections on idealism and disillusionment Common criticisms: - Some sections move slowly - Political analysis can be dense for casual readers - Limited coverage of post-1980 China Ratings: Goodreads: 4.2/5 (300+ ratings) Amazon: 4.5/5 (80+ reviews) Notable reader comment: "Rittenberg's story provides unique insights into the Chinese Revolution that you won't find anywhere else. His honesty about both the achievements and failures he witnessed makes this account particularly valuable." - Amazon reviewer

The Man Who Stayed Behind (1993) A memoir co-authored with Amanda Bennett detailing Rittenberg's 35 years in China during the Communist revolution and Cultural Revolution, including his time working with Mao Zedong and his two periods of imprisonment.

After The Nightmare (2012) A first-hand account of China's transformation after Mao's death, examining the economic reforms of Deng Xiaoping and the modernization of Chinese society from Rittenberg's perspective as both insider and outsider.

Edgar Snow wrote firsthand accounts of the Chinese Communist revolution and interviewed Mao Zedong extensively. His works like "Red Star Over China" provide perspective on the same historical period Rittenberg experienced.

Agnes Smedley reported from China during the revolutionary period and documented the Communist movement from within. She lived among Chinese Communist forces and wrote detailed accounts of their operations and key figures.

Harrison Salisbury covered China and the Soviet Union as a foreign correspondent and wrote about Communist systems from direct observation. His books examine the inner workings of Communist parties and leadership during the mid-20th century.

William Hinton spent years in rural China documenting land reform and revolutionary changes at the village level. His work "Fanshen" chronicles the transformation of a Chinese village during the period Rittenberg was in China.

John Service served as a U.S. Foreign Service officer in China during the revolutionary period and wrote about U.S.-China relations. His writings provide diplomatic context for the era Rittenberg witnessed and analyze American policy toward China during that time.