Mao

One of the great figures of the twentieth century, Chairman Mao looms irrepressibly over the economic rise of China. Mao Zedong was the leader of a revolution, a communist who lifted hundreds of millions out of poverty, an aggressive and distrustful leader, and a man responsible for more civilian deaths than perhaps any other historical figure.

Now, four decades after Mao's death, acclaimed biographer Philip Short presents a fully updated and revised edition of his ground-breaking and masterly biography. Vivid, uncompromising and unflinching, Short presents in one volume the man behind the propaganda—his family, his beliefs, and his horrors. In doing so, he shows us both the human being Mao was, and the monster he became.

Mao offers readers a deep dive into the complexities of a historical icon whose impact on China and the world is still felt today. Philip Short's expert portrayal and profound insights make this biography an essential read for anyone interested in understanding the legacy of one of history's most influential leaders.