Maurice Meisner is Harvey Goldberg Emeritus Professor of History at the University of Wisconsin, Madison.

• Preface. Acknowledgements.Map.A Note on Chinese Names.1. Youth (1893-1921).2. Communism and Marxism.3. Peasant Revolution.4. Nationalism and Social Revolution, 1935-49.5. Mao Zedong in Power: Nationalism and Modernization (1949-57).6. Utopianism.7. The Cultural Revolution and the Exhaustion of Maoism.Epilogue: Progress and Tyranny, Marxism and Maoism.Notes.Writings of Mao Zedong.Bibliography.Index.

“A stimulating argument, useful for both novices and established scholars.”History "Meisner is uniquely qualified by political commitment, professional experience, and scholarly talent to produce this important new biography of Mao. He offers a reasoned, indeed regretful, Marxist analysis of Mao's role in the Chinese revolution, acknowledging his successes but particularly seeking to understand the roots of Maos dictatorship and the many tragedies befell China under his sway. In this way, Meisner offers a useful and compelling narrative that truly provides food for thought."Timothy Cheek, University of British Columbia"Meisner's updated assessment of Mao Zedong once again offers the best available intellectual history of Mao's life and deeds."Lee Feigon, University of Chicago

Maurice Meisner is Harvey Goldberg Emeritus Professor of History at the University of Wisconsin, Madison.

• Preface. Acknowledgements.Map.A Note on Chinese Names.1. Youth (1893-1921).2. Communism and Marxism.3. Peasant Revolution.4. Nationalism and Social Revolution, 1935-49.5. Mao Zedong in Power: Nationalism and Modernization (1949-57).6. Utopianism.7. The Cultural Revolution and the Exhaustion of Maoism.Epilogue: Progress and Tyranny, Marxism and Maoism.Notes.Writings of Mao Zedong.Bibliography.Index.

“A stimulating argument, useful for both novices and established scholars.”History "Meisner is uniquely qualified by political commitment, professional experience, and scholarly talent to produce this important new biography of Mao. He offers a reasoned, indeed regretful, Marxist analysis of Mao's role in the Chinese revolution, acknowledging his successes but particularly seeking to understand the roots of Maos dictatorship and the many tragedies befell China under his sway. In this way, Meisner offers a useful and compelling narrative that truly provides food for thought."Timothy Cheek, University of British Columbia"Meisner's updated assessment of Mao Zedong once again offers the best available intellectual history of Mao's life and deeds."Lee Feigon, University of Chicago

Maurice Meisner is Harvey Goldberg Emeritus Professor of History at the University of Wisconsin, Madison.

• Preface. Acknowledgements.Map.A Note on Chinese Names.1. Youth (1893-1921).2. Communism and Marxism.3. Peasant Revolution.4. Nationalism and Social Revolution, 1935-49.5. Mao Zedong in Power: Nationalism and Modernization (1949-57).6. Utopianism.7. The Cultural Revolution and the Exhaustion of Maoism.Epilogue: Progress and Tyranny, Marxism and Maoism.Notes.Writings of Mao Zedong.Bibliography.Index.

“A stimulating argument, useful for both novices and established scholars.”History "Meisner is uniquely qualified by political commitment, professional experience, and scholarly talent to produce this important new biography of Mao. He offers a reasoned, indeed regretful, Marxist analysis of Mao's role in the Chinese revolution, acknowledging his successes but particularly seeking to understand the roots of Maos dictatorship and the many tragedies befell China under his sway. In this way, Meisner offers a useful and compelling narrative that truly provides food for thought."Timothy Cheek, University of British Columbia"Meisner's updated assessment of Mao Zedong once again offers the best available intellectual history of Mao's life and deeds."Lee Feigon, University of Chicago