In a two-volume tome, the independent historian Yu Ruxin explains the crucial role of the military in Mao’s stormy Cultural Revolution.
Tag: Cultural Revolution
Li Zhensheng, Photographer of China’s Cultural Revolution, Dies at 79
With his camera and red arm band, he captured the dark side of Mao’s revolution at great personal risk. Many of the images were stashed under a floor, going undeveloped for years.
Nie Yuanzi, Whose Poster Fanned the Cultural Revolution, Dies at 98
She helped write a vitriolic “big-character poster” that won Mao’s blessing. For the rest of her life, she wrestled with the fame and infamy that followed.
Wang Guodong, Who Painted Mao Year After Year, Dies at 88
He received one of China’s highest — and most intimidating — honors: responsibility for creating the huge portrait that gazes down on Tiananmen Square.
Sidney Rittenberg, Idealistic American Aide to Mao Who Evolved to Counsel Capitalists, Dies at 98
Once a dedicated Communist, Mr. Rittenberg became disillusioned after 16 years in prison in China and returned to the United States to forge a lucrative career helping companies do business in China.
As Protests Rock Hong Kong, Xi Jinping’s View of History Shows He Will Dig In
There are increasing signs that China’s patience toward the protests in Hong Kong is wearing thin.
Film Set in China’s Cultural Revolution Is Pulled From Berlin Festival
The withdrawal of the film by the noted Chinese director Zhang Yimou comes amid a broader crackdown on the discussion of sensitive subjects in China.
Beijing Dispatch: In the Heart of Beijing, a Taiwanese Pop Idol Makes Fans Swoon
Rabid fans flock to a restaurant serving as a shrine to the singer Teresa Teng, whose music was banned in China for being “decadent.” Long after her death, the government has warmed to her appeal.
A Photographer’s Quest to Reverse China’s Historical Amnesia
The Chinese photographer Li Zhensheng has been on a decades-long mission to make his country remember the Cultural Revolution.
Further reading: Do You Want to Read More About China?
Here are some suggestions from the Times Book Review archives to get you started.