Mao's China and After

Mao's China and After provides a comprehensive history of modern China, spanning from the 1949 Communist Revolution through the economic reforms of the late 20th century. The book covers key political events, social transformations, and economic policies that shaped the world's most populous nation. Maurice Meisner structures his analysis through multiple editions of the text, each incorporating new developments in China's trajectory. The work examines the Cultural Revolution, the death of Mao Zedong, and the subsequent reforms under Deng Xiaoping that transformed China's economy and society. This history chronicles the evolution of Chinese Communism from its revolutionary origins to its adaptation of market economics. Meisner's academic approach combines political analysis with social and economic perspectives to present a complete picture of China's transformation. The book stands as a core text for understanding how ideology, power, and economic forces intersect in modern Chinese history. It raises fundamental questions about the nature of socialism, capitalism, and political change in the context of China's development.

Readers find the book thorough and detailed in its coverage of modern Chinese history, particularly for its examination of social and economic policies. Many note its academic but readable style and appreciate the connections drawn between different periods of Communist rule. Positives: - Clear explanations of complex political movements - Strong analysis of class dynamics and power structures - Comprehensive coverage from 1949-1990s - Useful for both students and general readers Negatives: - Some sections dense with economic data - Critical tone toward Mao may put off certain readers - Limited coverage of cultural/social life - Post-1976 sections less detailed than earlier periods Ratings: Goodreads: 4.1/5 (147 ratings) Amazon: 4.4/5 (31 ratings) Sample review: "Best single-volume history of the PRC I've read. Meisner balances detail with readability and brings a clear perspective while letting readers draw their own conclusions." - Goodreads reviewer

The Search for Modern China by Jonathan Spence Chronicles China's transformation from the Ming Dynasty through modern times, providing historical context that complements Meisner's focus on the Communist era.

Deng Xiaoping and the Transformation of China by Ezra F. Vogel Details the crucial period of reform under Deng Xiaoping, expanding on the post-Mao era that Meisner discusses in his later chapters.

The Party: The Secret World of China's Communist Rulers by Richard McGregor Examines the inner workings of the Chinese Communist Party's power structure, building on Meisner's analysis of political institutions.

China's Economy: What Everyone Needs to Know by Arthur R. Kroeber Presents the economic dimensions of China's development, extending Meisner's discussion of market reforms into the 21st century.

Red Star over China by Edgar Snow Provides firsthand accounts of the Chinese Communist movement's early years, offering background to the revolutionary period that Meisner analyzes.

🔸 Maurice Meisner taught East Asian history at the University of Wisconsin-Madison for over 30 years, becoming one of America's foremost scholars on modern Chinese history 🔸 The book has gone through multiple editions since its first publication in 1977, with each update incorporating major developments in China's evolving story - making it one of the longest-running scholarly works on modern China 🔸 During the Cultural Revolution (1966-1976), which is extensively covered in the book, an estimated 16 million urban youth were sent to rural areas as part of Mao's "Down to the Countryside Movement" 🔸 Deng Xiaoping's reforms, analyzed in detail in later editions, helped lift over 800 million Chinese people out of poverty - the largest poverty reduction program in human history 🔸 The author's expertise wasn't just academic - he visited China multiple times during critical periods of change, including shortly after the 1989 Tiananmen Square protests, providing firsthand observations in his work