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This is a comprehensive hatchet job on the Western myth of Mao's "making of modern China". It should be read by everyone who grew up in the post-war years, with the recurrent fascination our society had with the internal convulsions of the "People's Republic" and its growing influence on its neighbours.

It is well written - I noticed a few repetitions, but nothing annoying, and it kept my interest throughout.

I'm sure the passion that comes through the book's relentless examination of Mao's behaviour and its consequences comes from Jung Chang's experiences (read "Wild Swans"), and of course it makes for a one-sided picture. Maybe examples of statesmanship and concern for the welfare of the Chinese people, or even of individual colleagues, are to be found in Mao's past, and have been omitted because they didn't fit the picture. But after reading this book, frankly, I doubt it - there doesn't seem to have been any time for good deeds.

I am not a historian, and historians are divided on some of the claims (see Wikipedia), but the authors do give extensive references and have interviewed many participants in the events, some very close to Mao. The details are given in appendixes, which make the book look even longer than it is, and maybe give it a scholarly appearance that isn't borne out by its tone. But they do show the authors' seriousness of purpose and willingness to expose their work to examination and criticism.