Michael Lynch is an Honorary Fellow of the University of Leicester and specialises in European and Far Eastern history. He has contributed to a number of television documentaries on modern historical themes, and his publications include Hitler (2013), Authoritarian States (2015) and China 1939–1997 (2016).

• List of maps ChronologyIntroduction1 Young Mao2 Mao the Communist and Nationalist: 1921–303 From Futian to the Long March: 1930–354 The Yanan years: 1935–435 Years of triumph: 1943–506 Emperor of the Blue Ants: 1950–627 The Cult of Mao and the Cultural Revolution: 1962–768 Mao Zedong: an assessmentFurther readingIndex

'Perhaps more than any other historical figure, Mao Zedong remains a paradox – was he a revolutionary visionary, a bloodthirsty tyrant, or a combination of the two? In this second edition, Michael Lynch deftly explores the contradictions and conflicts within Mao’s political ideology and personal life by rooting Maoism within its sociopolitical context. Approachable and highly readable, Mao is certain to become a key text for scholars and students alike.'Emily Baum, University of California, Irvine 'In his concise yet penetrating narrative, Lynch steps out of the Western ideological framework to examine Mao Zedong on his own terms. He skilfully places Mao in the broader context of tumultuous twentieth century China, which was forced to grapple with the twin burdens of her proud and glorious historical past and the bleak reality of a world order dominated in almost every way by foreign powers. This nuanced and vividly written biography is a must-read to understand why Mao Zedong continues to be revered in China, both officially and among a wide segment of Chinese society.'Xing Hang, Brandeis University

Michael Lynch is an Honorary Fellow of the University of Leicester and specialises in European and Far Eastern history. He has contributed to a number of television documentaries on modern historical themes, and his publications include Hitler (2013), Authoritarian States (2015) and China 1939–1997 (2016).

• List of maps ChronologyIntroduction1 Young Mao2 Mao the Communist and Nationalist: 1921–303 From Futian to the Long March: 1930–354 The Yanan years: 1935–435 Years of triumph: 1943–506 Emperor of the Blue Ants: 1950–627 The Cult of Mao and the Cultural Revolution: 1962–768 Mao Zedong: an assessmentFurther readingIndex

'Perhaps more than any other historical figure, Mao Zedong remains a paradox – was he a revolutionary visionary, a bloodthirsty tyrant, or a combination of the two? In this second edition, Michael Lynch deftly explores the contradictions and conflicts within Mao’s political ideology and personal life by rooting Maoism within its sociopolitical context. Approachable and highly readable, Mao is certain to become a key text for scholars and students alike.'Emily Baum, University of California, Irvine 'In his concise yet penetrating narrative, Lynch steps out of the Western ideological framework to examine Mao Zedong on his own terms. He skilfully places Mao in the broader context of tumultuous twentieth century China, which was forced to grapple with the twin burdens of her proud and glorious historical past and the bleak reality of a world order dominated in almost every way by foreign powers. This nuanced and vividly written biography is a must-read to understand why Mao Zedong continues to be revered in China, both officially and among a wide segment of Chinese society.'Xing Hang, Brandeis University

Michael Lynch is an Honorary Fellow of the University of Leicester and specialises in European and Far Eastern history. He has contributed to a number of television documentaries on modern historical themes, and his publications include Hitler (2013), Authoritarian States (2015) and China 1939–1997 (2016).

• List of maps ChronologyIntroduction1 Young Mao2 Mao the Communist and Nationalist: 1921–303 From Futian to the Long March: 1930–354 The Yanan years: 1935–435 Years of triumph: 1943–506 Emperor of the Blue Ants: 1950–627 The Cult of Mao and the Cultural Revolution: 1962–768 Mao Zedong: an assessmentFurther readingIndex

'Perhaps more than any other historical figure, Mao Zedong remains a paradox – was he a revolutionary visionary, a bloodthirsty tyrant, or a combination of the two? In this second edition, Michael Lynch deftly explores the contradictions and conflicts within Mao’s political ideology and personal life by rooting Maoism within its sociopolitical context. Approachable and highly readable, Mao is certain to become a key text for scholars and students alike.'Emily Baum, University of California, Irvine 'In his concise yet penetrating narrative, Lynch steps out of the Western ideological framework to examine Mao Zedong on his own terms. He skilfully places Mao in the broader context of tumultuous twentieth century China, which was forced to grapple with the twin burdens of her proud and glorious historical past and the bleak reality of a world order dominated in almost every way by foreign powers. This nuanced and vividly written biography is a must-read to understand why Mao Zedong continues to be revered in China, both officially and among a wide segment of Chinese society.'Xing Hang, Brandeis University