The Long March

The Long March chronicles the Chinese Communists' 6,000-mile trek across China between 1934-1935. Salisbury reconstructs this military retreat through research, interviews with survivors, and his own travels along the route. The book examines the key figures involved, particularly Mao Zedong, and how the march transformed the Chinese Communist Party. Through first-hand accounts and documentation, it explores the challenges faced by the 100,000 soldiers who began the journey. The narrative follows the marchers through diverse terrain including mountains, marshlands, and frigid regions while under constant threat from Nationalist forces. Their path through remote ethnic minority regions and interactions with local populations reveal complex social dynamics of 1930s China. This work illustrates how a military retreat became a defining moment that shaped modern Chinese history. The march's impact on Communist Party mythology and China's national identity emerges as a central theme.

Readers value this as a detailed account of the Chinese Communist Army's 6,000-mile journey, with firsthand sources and participant interviews. The narrative style keeps readers engaged despite the complex historical material. Likes: - Clear explanations of military strategy and geography - Personal stories that humanize the historical figures - Maps and photographs that aid understanding - Balance between military, political, and human elements Dislikes: - Some sections get bogged down in tactical details - A few readers note dated cultural perspectives (book published 1985) - Limited coverage of opposing forces' perspective - Some question the accuracy of Mao's portrayal Ratings: Goodreads: 4.0/5 (382 ratings) Amazon: 4.3/5 (89 ratings) "Brings the march to life through vivid details and survivor accounts" - Amazon reviewer "Too much focus on military movements, not enough on the impact on civilians" - Goodreads reviewer "The maps alone are worth the purchase" - LibraryThing reviewer

Red Star Over China by Edgar Snow A firsthand account of Mao's Communist forces and their early revolutionary activities during the 1930s through interviews and direct observation.

The Real Story of China's Long March by Ed Jocelyn and Andrew McEwen Two journalists retrace the exact route of the Long March, uncovering new details and perspectives from surviving witnesses and participants.

Wild Swans by Jung Chang The story of three generations of Chinese women provides context for China's transformation from the Long March through the Cultural Revolution.

The Tragedy of Liberation by Frank Dikötter A chronicle of the Chinese Revolution's first decade documents the transition from the Long March to the establishment of Communist rule.

Thunder Out of China by Theodore H. White A report from two journalists who witnessed the period between the Long March and the Communist victory in 1949 presents the political and social upheaval in China.

🔹 The Long March wasn't Mao's first major trek - he had previously led a smaller retreat known as "The Zunyi Conference March" in 1935, which helped cement his leadership position within the Communist Party. 🔹 Harrison Salisbury was the first American journalist allowed into North Vietnam during the Vietnam War, and his coverage earned him both praise and controversy back home. 🔹 During the Long March, soldiers used telegraph poles as firewood and ate leather belts and shoe soles to survive, yet maintained strict discipline about not taking food from peasants without payment. 🔹 The exact distance of the Long March remains debated - while officially cited as 6,000 miles, recent researchers suggest the actual distance was closer to 3,750 miles, though still an incredible feat. 🔹 Salisbury conducted extensive interviews with Long March survivors in the 1970s, including with women soldiers who carried babies while marching and fighting, adding previously undocumented perspectives to the historical record.